Blue Jays 2021: Opening Day lineup, rotation, schedule, how to watch Toronto's baseball team

Spring has officially arrived in North America. The temperature is rising, the flowers are blooming and the Boys of Summer are back as the calendar officially turns to April.

Yes, sports fans, baseball is here and so are the Blue Jays.

While it may be 2021, and a new season is set to begin as hope springs eternal, there are a few similarities to last year for the club from Toronto. Aside from the return of familiar faces like Vlad Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Caven Biggio — and some new ones like George Springer and Steven Matz — the squad is still in limbo. Where this team will call home for the long haul is still to be determined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which could also impact the schedule once again this season.

Regardless of where they play, the 2021 season is expected to be an exciting one for this young, up-and-coming group. Here's everything you need to know as the team hits the diamond.

When does the Blue Jays 2021 season begin?

• Date: Thursday, April 1
• Time: 1 p.m. ET
• Opponent: New York Yankees
• Pitching matchup: Hyun-Jin Ryu (TOR) vs. Gerrit Cole (NYY)

Toronto officially kicks things off on Thursday, April 1 against the New York Yankees in the Bronx.

How to watch Blue Jays games in 2021

All Blue Jays games will air on Sportsnet in 2021, with the television broadcast being simulcast onto Sportsnet 590 The FAN and across the Sportsnet Radio Network. Sportsnet said in a news release it was streamlining things "in an effort to minimize travel and closely adhere to team, league, and government protocols related to the pandemic." The move has not sat well with fans as a game on TV is called differently than a game on the radio, where there are no accompanying visuals.

Dan Shulman, who was nominated by the Baseball Hall of Fame for the 2020 Ford C Frick Award as baseball's best broadcaster, will have the call alongside Buck Martinez and Pat Tabler. Hazel Mae, Arash Madani and Ben Wagner round out the game crew; Jamie Campbell and Joe Siddall will be on Blue Jays Central.

Are the Blue Jays playing at Rogers Centre in 2021?

For now, the simple answer is: Maybe.

With the Canada-U.S. border closed through April 24, for now, the Canadian-based franchise will continue to call Florida home through at least May. Home games will take place at the team's spring training complex in Dunedin, Fla., for the club's first three homestands — April 8-14 (Angels, Yankees), April 27-May 2 (Nationals, Braves) and May 14-24 (Phillies, Red Sox, Rays — with fans in attendance (15 percent capacity) at TD Ballpark.

Per the team's release: No decision has been made on a Blue Jays home location following the first three homestands, but the primary goal remains returning to play on Canadian soil as soon as it is safe to do so.

The release added that the Blue Jays, aside from looking at returning north of the border, are also looking at continuing to play in Dunedin or returning to 2020's home, Buffalo, beyond the month of May.

Who is the Opening Day starter for the Blue Jays?

On Friday, manager Charlie Montoyo tapped Hyun Jin Ryu the Blue Jays’ 2021 Opening Day.

“Of course we were thinking that from the beginning,” Montoyo told reporters, “but you’ve got to see how everything goes in Spring Training, how his starts were going to be and the progress that he’s made. Now that he's done everything that it takes to get to that spot, it's easy for me to announce that he’s going to be our Opening Day starter.”

The lefty is coming off a spectacular first season — which he also opened for Toronto — where he finished third in American League Cy Young voting. In 12 starts he posted a 5-2 record with a 2.69 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 67 innings pitched.

What is the projected lineup, starting rotation for 2021?

It'll be interesting to see what the Opening Day lineup looks like for the Blue Jays, as injuries have already hit the ballclub. Closer Kirby Yates is out for the season (Tommy John surgery) and flamethrower Nate Pearson (groin strain) is out for a bit. Top offseason acquisition George Springer is dealing with an oblique strain; according to ESPN's Marly Rivera, Springer will start the season on the IL along with pitcher Robbie Ray (left elbow bruise).

A couple of interesting names that have made the Opening Day roster to keep an eye on include catcher Alejandro Kirk and second baseman Joe Panik.

Here is the team's projected starting lineup on Opening Day.

It's hard to gauge the official starting rotation with Ray and Pearson out for the time being. The fifth spot could be by committee or, potentially, Ray or Pearson could be good to go.

What are key dates for the Blue Jays?

• April 8: Blue Jays "home opener" vs. Angels
• April 27-28: vs. 2019 World Series champion Nationals
• May 21-24: Four-game series vs. the Rays over the Victory Day long weekend
• June 4-6: First series for Springer vs. his old team, the Astros
• Canada Day: Blue Jays promotional Vlad Sr. and Vlad Jr. Bobblehead (vs. Mariners)
• July 30-Aug. 2: Games vs. Royals and Indians over the Civic Holiday long weekend
• Aug. 13-15: Blue Jays at Mariners
• Oct. 1-3: Blue Jays host the Orioles in the final series of the regular season

What is the Blue Jays April schedule?