Meet the Blue Jays 2023: Full TV schedule, lineup, pitching rotation & more to know

The 2022 season was a step in the right direction for the Blue Jays, but the journey ended much sooner than expected. 

After posting a 92-70 record and finishing second in the AL East, Toronto earned the top wild card spot in the AL in 2022. However, the team's drought of postseason victories continued, as the Blue jays were swept in two games by the Mariners in the AL Wild-Card round

This year, Toronto has its eyes once again on the World Series. The young core is not so young anymore, as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Alek Manoah all have multiple seasons under their belts, but it's still the group that is going to be heavily relied upon in 2023.

General manager Ross Atkins was active this offseason, making a couple of trades and signings in order to boost the team. John Schneider also lost the interim tag and was named the team's full-time manager. 

It feels like there's a shift happening in Toronto from a fun, entertaining team with young budding stars to a clubhouse that won't be happy with anything short of a deep playoff run.

MORE: Where is the Blue Jays home run jacket?

The Sporting News has details on the Blue Jays projected lineup and starting rotation for the 2023 MLB season.

What channel are the Blue Jays on this season?

• TV channel: Sportsnet
• Live stream: SN NOW

Sportsnet is carrying coverage of the Blue Jays for the entire 2023 MLB season. Games will be available to watch live on Sportsnet or streamed through SN NOW. 

Dan Shulman is on play-by-play duties again this season, with analyst Buck Martinez alongside him throughout the season. Joe Siddall will also serve as an analyst for certain series. 

Hazel Mae and Arden Zwelling are the on-field reporters for Sportsnet, providing in-game updates from the Blue Jays clubhouse and dugout.

In the studio, Jamie Campbell hosts the pre-game and post-game show with Siddall and Caleb Joseph as analysts. 

What time is Blue Jays vs. Cardinals on Opening Day?

• Date: Thursday, March 30
• Time: 4:10 p.m. ET

The Blue Jays and Cardinals are scheduled to have the first pitch at 4:10 p.m. ET, 3:10 p.m. local time in St. Louis. 

The game is being played at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Mo. 

Here is a look at the Blue Jays schedule for the first month of the season:

Blue Jays pitching rotation

The lone loss from the 2022 rotation was Ross Stripling, who began the year in the bullpen and worked his way to a starting role when injuries opened a spot. In his place is veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt, who signed a three-year deal this offseason. 

Bassitt gives the Blue Jays a strong No. 3 option behind aces Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman. Jose Berrios and Yusei Kikuchi are going to round out the rotation. 

Hyun-Jin Ryu is starting the season on the injured list and is not expected to debut until July at the earliest. He is coming off Tommy John surgery on his left elbow last summer. 

Here is a look at the projected Opening Day rotation for the Blue Jays.

Blue Jays starting lineup

Toronto made two big trades this offseason.

First, the Blue Jays traded away outfielder Teoscar Hernandez to the Mariners to add help in the bullpen, bringing in reliever Erik Swanson and pitching prospect Adam Macko. 

Then, Toronto acquired outfielder/catcher Daulton Varsho from the Diamondbacks. The deal sent outfielder Lourdies Gurriel Jr. and catching prospect Gabriel Moreno back to Arizona. While it cost a large amount, Varsho is expected to be an everyday player that can hit in the middle of the lineup. 

The team also signed veterans Kevin Kiermaier and Brandon Belt. Kiermaier should help defensively in the outfield while Belt can be a left-handed option to use at DH. 

Here is a look at the projected lineup for the Blue Jays.