Opening Weekend in Toronto

The Toronto Blue Jays are off and running after a fair outing in the Bronx to open the season on the road and a stellar performance for their first weekend at home.

Granted the Red Sox came into Toronto a tired and homesick team, but the Jays did not hesitate to take advantage of uncharacteristic errors and missed opportunities from the Sox.

FRIDAY NIGHT  Jays fans had plenty to cheer about on Friday night with the day's long-term value signing of right field star Alex Rios and rising star second basemen Aaron Hill.  Coupled with the induction of Roberto Alomar and Paul Beeston into the level of excellence, the night couldn't have started off any better.  The crowd was rockin' for the home opener on Friday night, and the constant hum of the crowd seemed to help elevate Shawn Marcum's game on the mound.  He didn't hold back against the potentially potent Red Sox offense and continued how he left off at the end of the 2007 season.  At the plate, the Jays line up as well or even better than last year's World Series Champs.  3, 4 and 5 hitters Rios, Wells and Thomas leave no room for error on the part the opposing pitching staffs.  Thomas gave off an aura of determination all weekend long which began paying dividends with his timely double off Delcarmen to solidify the Jays home opener victory.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON  Game 2 of the seres was a fans treat as the Jays gave no mercy to the weiry Red Sox and cashed in on all opportunities with a 10-2 thrashing.  On the mound, youngster Jesse Litch who rounds up the Jays pitching staff as their 5th starter had some location problems but still managed to dig down and provide a very solid outing.  Frank Thomas again was one of the days key players with a homerun that he willed over the left centre wall.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON  Not quite the pitcher's dual it could have been with Josh Beckett making his debut off the DL and Roy Halladay giving up 3 homeruns in the game.  Still, Halladay pitched well enough to keep the Jays in it and Frank Thomas sealed the weekend sweep with a crushing Grand Slam off a first pitch Delcarmen fastball.  Fan favourite shortstop John MacDonald got his first start of the season and did not disappoint with some AMAZING defense including a play off a Justin Pedroia grounder that could very well be major league baseball's highligt of the season.

WEEKEND WRAP-UP  Everyone on the Toronto Blue Jays is firing on all cylinders right now and it gives hope to us fans who fear a disappointing repeat of last year with injuries, lack of offense and some bad luck.  As it stands after the 6th game of the season, the Jays can field a time against any team in the league and feel confident to come away with a victory.  Their offense which currently looks like one of the best in the league can only get better with the return of newly acquired third basemen Scott Rolen.  Their pitching which also currently looks like one of the best in the league, can only get even better with the return of ace closer B.J. Ryan.  More than anything this weekend, the Toronto Blue Jays have sent a message to the the Red Sox and Yankees that they better be on the top of their game when they face them.