Previewing the Blue Jays Schedule: April and May

JFtC brings you a quick look at who the Toronto Blue Jays will welcome to their home field in the beginning of the 2022 season

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Toronto Blue Jays fans will not need any special reason to buy tickets to watch their beloved team this year. The Jays should provide plenty of entertainment from April to November as they chase their first World Series since 1993. That being said, its always nice to know a bit about the opponents that make their way to Rogers Centre. What follows is a quick rundown of each team heading to the Dome this spring.

April 8-9-10: Texas Rangers

Old Friends: MVP candidate for the Jays Marcus Semien is now manning second base for the Rangers. He set a record for most home runs by a second baseman with 45 and deserves a nice ovation.

Off-season Highlights: Added Semien; SS Corey Seager; SP Jon Gray

What they are playing for: To stay out of last place in the West.

Why I’d Buy Tickets: To watch the team the Jays eliminated in both the 2015 and 2016 playoffs continue their rebuild as the Jays pursue a World Series title. Plus its Opening Day!! Maybe buy tickets for game two or three!

April 11 – 12 – 13 – 14: New York Yankees

Old Friends: 2015 AL MVP Josh Donaldson takes his pursuit of a World Series to the Bronx. Bring those old Donaldson jerseys!

Off-season Highlights: Added Donaldson, SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Lost 3B Gio Urshela and C Gary Sanchez.

What they are playing for: They like to think that because they are the Yankees they only play for the World Series!! It says here that the Jays are the new Behemoth in Town and the Yanks are playing for continued relevance in the AL East!!

Why I’d Buy Tickets: To watch this older, hobbled team start the inevitable swirl down the toilet of fat bloated contracts.

April 19 – 20 – 21: Boston Red Sox

Old Friends: Not many friends here. Travis Shaw is back with the Sox. He played in 50 underwhelming games with the Jays in 2020.

Off-season Highlights: Added 2B Trevor Story and multiple pitching ‘projects’.

What they are playing for: The Sox are a legitimate contender in the AL East but their starting pitching will hold them back.

Why I’d Buy Tickets: To watch two of the best offensive teams in the league go toe to toe under the dome.

April 22 – 23 – 24: Houston Astros

Old Friends: The closest guys we have as a friend here is Aledmys Diaz who played shortstop for Toronto in 2018. His current legacy is being traded for depth starter Trent Thornton.

Off-season Highlights: Lost SS Carlos Correa.

What they are playing for: Houston is in the middle to back end of a nice playoff caliber window with a 2017 World Series trophy, they want another ring.

Why I’d Buy Tickets: To watch Justin Verlander continue his case for the Hall of Fame. He is 39 years old and has 226 wins. If you haven’t seen him yet, this may be your last chance.

May 2 – 3 – 4: New York Yankees – See above.

May 16 – 17 – 18: Seattle Mariners

Old Friends: Robbie Ray takes his 2021 Cy Young to the Pacific north west.

Offseason Highlights: Added SP Robbie Ray; LF Jessie Winker; 3B Eugenio Suarez; 2B Adam Frazier.

What are they playing for: The AL West title. They overachieved last year to win 91 games but added enough talent this year to make noise each night after we all go to bed in the east.

Why I’d Buy Tickets: To watch their young prospects Julio Rodriguez and Jarred Kelenic as they transition into some of the next great hitters in baseball.

May 20 – 21 – 22: Cincinnati Reds

Old Friends: Former Jays prospect Jeff Hoffman, who was traded for Troy Tulowitzki is on the 40 man roster. Etobicoke’s own Joey Votto is winding down a great career with the Reds.

Off-season Highlights: Lost Jessie Winker; 3B Eugenio Suarez, SP Sony Gray; C Tucker Barnhart.

What they are playing for: Do they even know? After trading away or releasing a number of higher priced players the Reds must either find a way to win, or further their rebuilding efforts. Half measures don’t work in small markets.

Why I’d Buy Tickets: To watch Joey Votto try to maintain his .300 lifetime batting average (he currently sits at .302). Truly one of the great hitters of his generation.

May 31 – June 1 -2: Chicago White Sox

Old Friends: Liam Hendricks. The former Blue Jay reliever turned himself into one of the best closers in baseball with the A’s. His late inning dominance continues with the White Sox.

Off-season Highlights: Added RP Kendall Graveman; RP Joe Kelly. Lost RP Craig Kimbrel

What they are playing for: The World Series. This young and upcoming team has made the playoffs two years in a row but has failed to advance to the ALCS. Anything less will be a failure.

Why I’d Buy Tickets: To watch one of the most exciting and complete teams in the AL. They have it all including a dynamic mix of young and veteran players.