November 23, 2024

The Blue Jays are back. 5 things to know about the 2021 season

Vladdy #Vladdy

⭐️HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW⭐️

  • The Jays aren’t playing in Toronto.
  • General manager Ross Atkins re-ups for another five years.
  • Injury bug already biting.
  • Does a healthy off-season mean big gains for Vladdy?                                       
  • Read more to find out about their World Series goals! ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ 
  • The Toronto Blue Jays’ season is underway and off to a bit of a rocky start.

    Having lost more games than they’ve won so far, the Jays are currently sitting in last place in the American League East standings. 

    And the ongoing pandemic means this season could be a unique one.

    But there are definitely some positives.

    Here are five things you should know about the Toronto Blue Jays’ 2021 baseball season.

    Home away from home

    Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Blue Jays are unable to play in Toronto at the Rogers Centre.

    Instead, they’ve found a home away from home in Dunedin, Florida, at their spring training facility.

    As of right now, all of their home games will be played there until at least May 14.

    A baseball stadium with players on the field as the sun sets.

    TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida, will be the Jays’ home field until at least mid-May. (Image credit: Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

    Depending on COVID-19 restrictions, they may move to Buffalo, New York, home of their triple-A affiliate, when Florida becomes too humid.

    Last season, border restrictions meant that the Blue Jays had to play all of their home games in Buffalo.

    The general manager is here to stay

    General manager Ross Atkins just signed a five-year contract extension to continue his role with the Blue Jays.

    GM Ross Atkins speaks at a press conference.

    GM Ross Atkins has signed a five-year extension, the same term that team president Mark Shapiro agreed to in January. (Image credit: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

    The 47-year-old has been the general manager of the Blue Jays since 2015.

    He previously worked for Cleveland’s MLB team for 15 years before coming to the Blue Jays.

    Injuries won’t help the Blue Jays

    We’re only a few games in, and the Blue Jays have already had a number of injuries that are having an impact on their start to the season.

    Closer Kirby Yates is out for the rest of this season with a right elbow injury.

    Starter Nate Pearson is currently recovering from a groin injury.

    George Springer looks on from the Blue Jays dugout.

    In January, George Springer signed with the team for six years at a cost of $150 million. (Image credit: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

    As well, one of the Blue Jays’ newest stars, George Springer, was unable to be there at the start of the season due to a left oblique strain.

    Big season for Vladdy

    Vladimir (Vladdy) Guerrero Jr. was considered the top prospect in baseball when he was first starting out. In 2019, he was named the No. 1 prospect in MLB.

    To date, he hasn’t quite lived up to those expectations.

    So far this season, Guerrero has a .364 batting average, compared with a .262 average last year.

    Vladimir Guerrero Jr. high fives teammates in the dugout.

    Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is currently leading the team in batting average. (Image credit: Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

    Guerrero did a ton of baseball and fitness training during the off-season to help him get into better shape, so there is hope that his performance will improve.

    Big post-season run

    The Blue Jays have set their sights on making a big run in the playoffs this season.

    They haven’t seen a World Series championship since 1993, when they beat the Philadelphia Phillies.

    Joe Carter sits on teammates shoulders cheering after their 1993 World Series win.

    Joe Carter celebrates the team’s 1993 World Series win. (Image credit: Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

    Last year, the Blue Jays were swept in the wild card series by the Tampa Bay Rays.

    Fans are hoping this year is different and that we’ll see a long post-season run from the Jays.

    What do you think? Make your predictions below!

    TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images with graphic design by Philip Street/CBC

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