2006 Toronto Blue Jays Predictions & Season Preview


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The 2006 Toronto Blue Jays predictions show them as going under the radar in the American League East because all the attention gets focused on the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. But Toronto has really come on strong the last couple years with ace pitching sensation Roy Halladay leading the way. Halladay was off to another great start last season before enduring a season ending injury when he took a Kevin Mench line drive off the leg. He is returning 100% healthy in 2006 and he will make a push for his second Cy Young Award. The Jays brought in right hander A.J. Burnett to give them another starter capable of winning 20 games. Lilly and Chacin round out the rotation and will be good enough to compete on a daily basis.

The Toronto Blue Jays’ newly acquired bats will also be a big boost to their solid pitching staff as they should not have many problems with run support in 2006. First baseman Lyle Overbay makes the jump to the American League as he comes over from Milwaukee and former Angel Troy Glaus will look to put together another season like his last when he slugged 37 homeruns and drove in 97. Overbay will not put up the same type of power numbers that Glaus does, but he is a solid stick and will hit for a good average while providing a consistently good glove in the field. The Jays should also expect Vernon Wells to bolster his blossoming superstar status as it is almost a given that he will better his 28 homeruns and 97 runs batted in.

If you are a Toronto Blue Jays backer, you can expect to profit again this season, and if you’re not, you might want to think about becoming one. Toronto has recorded winning seasons for their backers 3 of the last 4 years and with the great off season moves they made heading into the 2006 season, we can expect them to produce again this year. One trend that has shown up in the past is that Toronto has been undervalued as an underdog, but this will likely subside as Toronto’s talented ball club is no secret to bookmakers. Last season they won 15 of 28 as a road underdog in the American League East for a positive 10 units ad I expect them to profit even more this year with their solid pitching staff and powerful lineup.

I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Blue Jays sneak up on the Boston Redsox or the New York Yankees while distancing themselves from the Baltimore Orioles and the rest of the pack. I think the Blue Jays have made the right moves to make themselves a legitimate American League Wild Card contender and if they can get hot at the right time they might even be able to make a run for the American League East crown. This will all depend on if they can keep their starting pitchers healthy as they don’t appear to have enough depth for someone else to be able to step into the starting rotation and be nearly as effective.

Related Articles You May Be Interested In:

Great Odds, Fast Payouts, and a 10% Bonus!

Filed Under MLB