do the bluejays have a chance to make the playoffs this year,?

Question

they just signed tomo ohka so there's a lot of competition for rotation spots, plus they have the best offense in the AL

Answer 1

I don't know if they have the league's best offense (especially if Boston does get Helton), but I definitely think that if they can stay reasonably healthy, Toronto will at least get the AL Wild Card. I think that this team may very well be a "sleeping giant".

Answer 2

I think the Blue Jays have an excellent team in place, a team that could do quite well in a different division such as the AL West or the NL West or NL Central. Roy Halladay is one of the best starting pitchers in MLB, and Vernon Wells one of the best outfielders in the game. But, playing in the AL East and with an extremely strong AL Central this season, the Jays only hope of a playoff birth will be to win the division, and I just don't see that happening.

I think the Blue Jays could again take second place, as I don't think the Red Sox are that tough - they are significantly lacking in the starting pitching department and a whole lot of credit has already been given to the Asian rookie who has never thrown a pitch in the majors.

But, I don't think the Jays will be able to take out the Yankees this season, as that team should once again be strong. The signing of Pettite was a tremendous move, him along with Mussina and Wang make for a very tough rotation. Their bullpen is tough and their line-up is very strong even without Sheffield.

However, a second place finish probably won't get the Jays or Red Sox into the playoffs, as one of the three, between the Tigers, Indians and White Sox, should have a better second place record and the wild card will likely come from the central again this season.

Answer 3

I don't think starting pitching should be a huge concern. The Jays have had the division's best ERA in each of the past two years, and even the defection of Lilly shouldn't hurt the team. We still have a great 1-2 punch in Halladay and Burnett, while Chacin and a healthy John Thomson could make for a good 3-4 combo. That leaves Ohka for the fifth spot, and gives us a pretty good rotation.

Offensively, I do worry about our middle infield and catching position. Zaun gets on base, but his OPS is less than great. I'm not counting on Aaron Hill to hit as well as last year, although that would be a huge bonus. Our big hole offensively is at short, where Clayton and McDonald are both awful hitters.

It will be tough to beat the Yankees, assuming they get any pitching at all. Their offense should be very formidable, and they'll score a ton of runs. The Red Sox will be better with their upgraded rotation, and the additions of Drew and (possibly) Helton will give them serious left-handed power for Fenway.

I'm guessing it's another third-place finish, unless our 3-4-5 guys can step it up. If that happens, then we've got a shot at playing with the division's big boys.

Answer 4

The Blue Jays have a slim chance for the playoffs. As long as the Yankees and the Red Sox have anything to say about it, they don't stand a chance of actually winning the AL East. Of course if the injury bug hits one of the those two teams then they do have an outside shot of the wild card assuming one of the AL Central teams not winning the division finishes with a worse record than Jays do.

Answer 5

They do have a chance. It will be tough though. They have to outplay the yanks and bosox. I would say winning the AL east is their best shot. Chances are that two AL cental teams will make the playoffs, unless some unforseen thing happens (ie last years tigers). I would say that they won't make it this year.

What I think will happen is that the Angels will win the west,
the Indians will win the Central, The Yankees will win the East, and the Twins will win the wildcard by less that 2 games over the BOsox.

Answer 6

Only if they move to another city in the west or somewhere away from the east, I dont think they have a chance in the american leauge east, specialy with the Yankees and Boston up there, their best chance was last year, but i dont think they can make the playoffs this year or any year for a decade or two unless they get some good pitching other then Holiday and get better prospects

Answer 7

It's a long shot but it's always possible. The Al East starts the season with 5 teams in 1st place. You just never know what can happen after 162 games.
I disagree with you about the jays having the best offense, I think the Yankees have that hands down. Match them up yourself.

Answer 8

im kind of worried about the jays this year i have a feeling it gonna either go bad or good for them but hopefully good if they can stay free of injuries to there starting players and what not. i would like to see them in the playoffs, it also depends on the strengths of the other teams in there division. If pitching works out well and there strong then i could see them going to the playoffs, probably not passed the first round tho

Answer 9

No, they do not have a chance because of there division, both the Yankees and RedSox will finish with better records. If they were in the West or Central maybe. As far as them having the best offense not so sure about that, as much I hate the Yankees that is one scary line up.

Answer 10

Anything is possible, but Ohka is just average, unless a pitcher can win 20 a year consistently he isn't worth mentioning...by the way...Go Dodgers!!!