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Toronto Blue Jays: 4 Reasons They Won’t Win the AL East

By Paul Taylor

Jun 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons (5) is ejected from the game by third base umpire Ted Barrett (65) in the ninth inning. The Chicago White Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2.at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons (5) is ejected from the game by third base umpire Ted Barrett (65) in the ninth inning. The Chicago White Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2.at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Blue Jays
Feb 16, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez (41) and Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) sit on the bench at Cecil P. Englebert Recreation Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

1) The Rotation

Let’s make something perfectly clear – this year’s projected rotation for the Blue Jays is top-notch. How could you not be excited by a starting five of Aaron Sanchez, Marco Estrada, J.A. Happ, Marcus Stroman and Francisco Liriano?

However, the reason for including them as one of the four reasons for not winning the AL East, has nothing to do with their talent. It’s about the chances — or lack thereof — of remaining as healthy as last season.

The 2016 addition of the Blue Jays’ rotation was remarkably durable, combining to start 152 out of a possible 162 games. In total, their starters combined for the most innings in the Majors.

The knock on effect was evidenced by finishing the season with the fourth-best ERA in the league. Among other things, they also allowed the third-lowest batting average and fifth-best WHIP.

It’s additonally worth noting that R.A. Dickey was one of the Blue Jays’ most reliable workhorses during these last four years and he is no longer with the club. Throw in the likelihood that Happ shouldn’t be expected to repeat last season’s career year of going 20-4, and the rotation — while still being very productive – will take a step back in 2017.

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