Posted on 3/10/2008 6:12:51 PM

2008 MLB Betting Previews - Toronto Blue Jays

By Dave Golokhov

As the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. The Toronto Blue Jays once again enter a season with Roy Halladay – a Cy Young candidate – at the top of their rotation but with a giant question mark in their No. 2 hole.

A.J. Burnett has been wildly inconsistent, making him a better fit for the No. 3 spot but with the Jays employing three inexperienced arms at the back end – Dustin McGowan, Shawn Marcum and Jesse Litch – the Jays are left to hope that Burnett starts earning some of the $13+ million he’s due this year.

Casey Janssen and Gustavo Chacin are also in the mix.

Relief Pitching:

While finding consistency in the starting rotation proved to be an arduous task last year, the Blue Jays did develop the constituents for a solid bullpen.

Closer B.J. Ryan is expected back at some point, which will make a decent bullpen very solid. Jeremy Accardo will continue to serve as the closer but should form one of the better one-two punches if Ryan is effective upon return.

Scott Downs is a decent lefty, while Brandon League and Jason Frasor are capable at bridging the gap until the eighth inning.

Hitting:

While the pitching (starting and bullpen) has improved significantly over the past couple of seasons, the hitting has headed in the opposite direction. A once-potent lineup is now docile and the Jays have work to do.

David Eckstein/Reed Johnson are decent lead-off hitters at the top of the lineup but the key will be Vernon Wells, who is supposed to be the centerpiece of the offense. Whether it was a bad shoulder or a fat new contract, Wells .245 average in 2007 was embarrassingly poor. He needs to bounce back if the Jays have any hope of being in the playoff mix.

The Jays are also counting on a couple of key veterans like Frank Thomas and Scott Rolen, whose best days are clearly behind them.

Regular Season Win Total: 85.5

The Blue Jays won 83 games last year and the odds makers are banking on them winning at least a couple more. I agree.

The bats shouldn’t be any worse than last year and neither should the starting pitching, but there is room for improvement in both areas. But when B.J. Ryan returns for the Jays, they might boast one of the best bullpens in the American League.

With that in mind, the Jays won’t need to crush the ball to win games like they did a few years ago, which means they will be in many games. Additions like David Eckstein and Scott Rolen improve their ability to play small-ball and upgrade their defense.

With an improved defense and bullpen, I like the Jays to win at least three more games.

MLB Free Picks: Over 85.5

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