ST: Jays @ Rays | April 3-6, 2016 | ESPN2 or Sportsnet | The Season Begins!

[zilby]

The opener is two days away, you guys, and we don't have our ST yet. Disappointed, but I'm ready. I am ready to kick off this season and help by thinking my game threads actually have any effect on the team's performance. So why choose zilby as creator of your ST? My main credential is that I had one of the 10-game winning streaks for the Jays last year, but I am also known for randomly posting delicious food items in my threads. So this is a creamy artichoke pizza from Artichoke Basille's Famous Pizzeria, which I saw in a Facebook video earlier this week.



The season is back, and the boys in blue are set to kick off a year in which we're trying to build off our success, getting to the ALCS and having a hard-fought series with KC! Can they do it? Damn, I sure hope so!

The opening day roster, courtesy of Raps_Swingman:

CF - Pillar
3B - Donaldson
RF - Bautista
DH- Edwing
SS - Tulo
1B - Colabello
C - Martin
LF - Saunders
2B - Goins

Bench:
1B/DH - Smoak
C/Dickey's mitt - Thole
IF - Barney
OF - Carrera

Starting Pitchers
Stroman
Happ
Dickey
Sanchez
Estrada(DL) - Will start on April 10th, 1st start is skipped.

Bullpen
Osuna - Closer
Storen - 8th inning guy
Cecil - 7th inning guy
Chavez - Long man/Spot starter
Floyd - Long man/Spot starter
Joe Biagini - ?
Ryan Tepera - ?
Arnold Leon - ?

DL:
Loup
Travis
Estrada

Game 1: Sunday, April 3rd, 4:05PM - Marcus Stroman vs. Chris Archer

Game 2: Monday, April 4th, 7:10PM - RA Dickey vs. Drew Smyly

Game 3: Tuesday, April 5th, 7:10PM - Aaron Sanchez vs. Jake Odorizzi

Game 4: Wednesday, April 6th, 7:10PM - JA Happ vs. Matt Moore

Not sure if these are the correct SP's, but it's what MLB.com and ESPN have as of now, so I will keep an eye on it and change if necessary. Either way, Archer owns us, but the other games are definitely winnable! Let's get it!





Obligatory ask me about my sneeze



Let's go Blue Jays!



And of course, to cap it off... (you know we had to)

[Wo1verine]

Would be happy going 2-2 in Tampa

Seriously this is my least favorite park to watch a game on TV just so ugly and dead looking!

[Raider917]

the matchups there dont look easy.

[Lateral Quicks]

Runs could be at a premium this series. The Rays' rotation looks great as per usual, but they don't look like they'll hit much.

[Randle McMurphy]

Not ideal to begin the season with a four game series at the Trop. I'll take a split.

[s e n s i]

i've had artichokes late night in nyc. a little lukewarm but still amazing crab pizza there.

i can't **** believe games matter again. les go!

[Raps in 4]

Anything less than a sweep and the season is over.

[pingpongrac]

I'm excited to see Stro take another step towards proving that he can be the ace of this team. Hopefully we can at least get the split. Last year I missed all of 2 or 3 Jays games, but I'm going to miss 3 of the 4 games in the first series this season. Off to a good start!

Side-note: we just picked up Morales and our pitching depth improved a little bit.

[RapsFanInVA]

Whoa had no idea the season starts tomorrow. What a pleasant surprise!

[primecougar]

Did we resign marco estrada? i couldve sworn he left us....

[pingpongrac]

Did we resign marco estrada? i couldve sworn he left us....

We did, though he's on the DL to start the season. He's expected to pitch against the Red Sox next weekend.

[Geddy]

Feels like the last 5 or 6 months went by like a blur. Finally can wash away the bitter aftertaste from that loss to KC

[Senor Waffles]

Whoa had no idea the season starts tomorrow. What a pleasant surprise!

I intentionally didn't follow the Jays during the off-season so the time could pass by quicker. Think that might have worked, it feels like the offseason passed WAY faster than NBA one did (do they have the same amount of time off?). I can't believe it's already time for the Jays again. Just found out 2 days ago that the season started tomorrow.

Can't wait, the Jays are gonna be awesome this year and for the first time in forever we'll have a full season of that

[torontoaces04]

The Rays have quite the pitching staff, and we've typically struggled in Tampa. I say we go 2-2.

[Waylanderz]

Let's do this!!!

[Northface82]

[RapsAndJays21]

Whoa had no idea the season starts tomorrow. What a pleasant surprise!

I intentionally didn't follow the Jays during the off-season so the time could pass by quicker. Think that might have worked, it feels like the offseason passed WAY faster than NBA one did (do they have the same amount of time off?). I can't believe it's already time for the Jays again. Just found out 2 days ago that the season started tomorrow.

Can't wait, the Jays are gonna be awesome this year and for the first time in forever we'll have a full season of that

Same here. Was under the impression the Jays started on the 8th !

[Kinger95]

I would happily take a split 2-2. The trop has been our death in seasons past

[Greatness]

Archer will be tough as usual

[Jago88]

Any bars in the city going to be particularly busy for this? Gonna go out for a walk and have a wander around later just wondering if anybody has suggestions?