The wait is over Blue Jays fans. Opening Day for the 2023 MLB season is finally here.
Toronto begins its 2023 season out in the midwest as the team opens the year with a three-game series against the Cardinals in St. Louis.
The Blue Jays' season ended earlier than expected in 2022. After finishing second in the AL East and securing the top Wild Card spot with a record of 92-70, the team was swept in the ALDS by the Mariners.
After a few moves this offseason, the Blue Jays have their eyes on getting back to the postseason, led by the core group of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Alek Manoah and George Springer.
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It all kicks off today. Here is how Blue Jays fans can watch the 2023 season opener.
What channel is Blue Jays vs. Cardinals on?
- TV channel: Sportsnet
- Live stream: SN NOW
Sportsnet is carrying coverage of the Blue Jays for the entire 2023 MLB season. The Opening Day game against the Cardinals will be available to watch on Sportsnet nationwide and streamed through SN NOW.
Dan Shulman is delivering the play-by-play call alongside analyst Buck Martinez throughout the season.
What time is Blue Jays vs. Cardinals?
- 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.
Blue Jays Opening Day starter
Toronto is riding with Manoah as its Opening Day starter.
The 25-year-old has quickly become one of the best young starters in the league. In 31 starts last year, Manoah went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA and a 0.992 WHIP. He finished last season as one of the finalists for the AL Cy Young award, earned his first All-Star selection and was named to the All-MLB First Team.
It is the first Opening Day start in his career.
From: Our Ace ⚡️
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) March 24, 2023
To: Our Fans ❤️🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/FUsln5hmdM
Opposing Manoah on the mound is Miles Mikolas. The 34-year-old posted a 3.29 ERA last season in 32 starts. He finished with a record of 12-13, pitching in over 200 innings.
Adam Wainwright was expected to make his seventh consecutive Opening Day start for St. Louis but was placed on the IL to start the year with a groin strain.
Blue Jays Opening Day lineup
The lineup won't be finalized and officially announced until a few hours before first pitch. However, there is a good sense of what Schneider is going to roll out on Opening Day.
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 Opening Day lineup for the Blue Jays.
| RF | George Springer |
| SS | Bo Bichette |
| 1B | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. |
| C | Alejandro Kirk |
| LF | Daulton Varsho |
| 3B | Matt Chapman |
| DH | Brandon Belt |
| 2B | Whit Merrifield |
| CF | Kevin Kiermaier |
