The Toronto Blue Jays have had such a good offseason that they are now probably the favorites to win the tough AL East division.
That’s not insignificant, since the Tampa Bay Rays, the New York Yankees, and the Boston Red Sox are in the same group, and all those squads are clear playoff contenders.
Part of the Jays’ hopes are obviously tied to their great offense, a unit that has the likes of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, George Springer, Teoscar Hernandez, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Cavan Biggio, and three starting-caliber catchers.
However, their starting rotation is much-improved in comparison to last year, and it’s now considered a strength, just as much as their lineup.
“#BlueJays rotation to open the season: José Berríos, Kevin Gausman, Hyun Jin Ryu, Alek Manoah, Yusei Kikuchi,” MLB.com beat writer for the Blue Jays Keegan Matheson tweeted on Wednesday.
#BlueJays rotation to open the season:
José Berríos
Kevin Gausman
Hyun Jin Ryu
Alek Manoah
Yusei Kikuchi— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) March 31, 2022
The Jays Rotation Is Now A Strength
Berrios is considered one of the most durable starters in the American League, and was recently extended on a huge seven-year deal.
Last year, he had a solid 3.52 ERA in 192 frames between the Minnesota Twins and the Blue Jays.
The rotation lost Cy Young winner Robbie Ray, but the franchise brought in another incredibly talented pitcher in Gausman, who excelled with the San Francisco Giants in the last two seasons.
The rotation has improved so much in the last two years that Ryu, signed to be the ace two years ago, is now the third or fourth starter.
Young phenom Manoah, who impressed as a rookie last year, and offseason acquisition Kikuchi complete the starting five, one of the best in the American League.
NEXT: Dexter Fowler Explains Why He Signed With The Blue Jays
