Toronto Blue Jays: 7 series to look forward to during 2020 season
All of August – Blue Jays vs The World
If you’re at all squeamish, don’t look at the Blue Jays’ schedule in August. It starts off innocent enough, with a casual weekend tilt with the Orioles. From then on, however, the scheduling gods show no mercy. What follows are 24 straight games against teams that have made the playoffs in the past two seasons, including four-game sets in Houston, Tampa Bay and the Bronx.
Add in visits from the Cubs and Cardinals, and a four-game home series with the Oakland Athletics and you have the potential for a disastrous month. On the flip side of that, though, there is also the potential to make a statement. By this point in the season, the Jays could very well be in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Could August derail all hopes of a return to the postseason? Oh, very much so. Could it also put the league on notice if Toronto can navigate these murky waters? Absolutely. But, if August goes poorly, don’t fret. The 29th’s game against the Athletics is “Hyun-jin Ryu Designed Hat Giveaway Day,” so at least there’s that to look forward to in what could be a cruel way to end the summer for the Blue Jays.
September 25-27 – Blue Jays at Cleveland Indians
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The (projected) Cleveland Indians of 2020 call back memories of the Blue Jays of 2017. With their competitive window just closing, they dealt Corey Kluber to Texas this offseason, in what felt like a move emblematic of the end of an era.
Most of the players who will be wearing powder blue on September 25 were not on the teams that went through the doldrums of mediocrity in 2017-18, but for upper management and the few holdovers who remain, this series will serve as a reminder of that sinking feeling of staring down a rebuild.
Cleveland still has superstars in Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor, as did those recent Blue Jays teams, but in the uber-competitive landscape of the American League, it’s either compete for a title or blow it up.
Barring disaster, there will be optimism in Toronto at the conclusion of this series. Whether that be in reference to gearing up for a playoff run or in anticipation of a fresh start in 2021 remains to be seen.
Nate Pearson continues to climb prospect rankings. dark. Next
Which series do you have circled on your calendar this season? How do you think the Blue Jays will finish this season? Let us know in the comments below.