Bet you didn’t know that the Blue Jays are one of just seven teams that have had a winning record each of the last three seasons. One reason you didn’t know is that the Jays are the only one of the seven without a playoff appearance in that time. With a rotation that features Roy Halladay and a bunch of question marks, the Jays may be hard-pressed to finish over .500 this year. They’ll be even more hard-pressed to get to the playoffs, because to do so they’ll have to beat out at least two of the three super teams in their division. Manager Cito Gaston says he feels good about the future of the organization, but with the rotation a question and closer B.J. Ryan’s velocity going AWOL this spring, it’s hard for even Gaston to predict a quick return to the glory days.
2008 record: 86-76, .531 pct. (4th in AL East) As Blue Jays manager: Cito Gatson entering 2nd season (51-37) Stadium: Rogers Centre (49,539; artificial)