Five MLB Blue Jays' Games to Mark on Your Calendar for 2024

Media reports this morning have the Blue Jays and free agent Justin Turner coming together on a one-year $13 million agreement, news that is going to awaken baseball fans deep in a winter slumber.

As MLB reporter Peter Gammons said early this morning, if true, Turner, the former L.A. Dodger, although 39 years old, would be a “significant addition” to the lineup and immediately jolt the Jays’ offence in a positive way. Last year’s stat line on Turner, in his one season with the Boston Red Sox: 146 games played, 558 ABs, 154 hits, .276 batting average, 23 HRs, 96 RBIs, .345 OBP, .800 OPS. 

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By already signing Gold Glove CF Kevin Kiermaier to a one-year contract, the Jays solidified the outfield defense. They signed Cuban free agent pitcher Yariel Rodriguez a few weeks back, who can step in as a set-up man for closer Jordan Romano or can slide into the starting rotation.

Third base remained a hole in the lineup, but Turner has played there, and so has Isiah Kiner Falefa, another free agent signing this off-season. Cavan Biggio and Santiago Espinal can play the position as well. 

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So, with the Turner news, and the calendar about to turn to February, and with the opening of spring training just two weeks away (pitchers and catchers report to Dunedin Feb. 15), here are five must-see games to highlight on your calendar for the first half of 2024.

Opening Day: March 28, at Tampa Bay Rays

On the sports betting front, according to BetMGM this morning, the Jays are 4.50 to win the American League East, with the Rays right behind them at 8.00. 

MLB betting is about to get more interesting. FanDuel has the Jays at 10.00 to win the American League, with the Rays at 14.00. The Houston Astros have the shortest odds this morning at 5.00. 

The Jays typically struggle playing the Rays, especially in Tampa, so winning this series is an opportunity to make an immediate statement and get the season off on the right foot.

Match-up with Marcus: April 5, at New York Yankees

Obviously, we have no idea if Marcus Stroman, the diminutive former Jays starting pitcher, and fan favorite, will pitch in the first series between the Jays and Yankees, but it will be a must-watch when he does. 

Shohei Ohtani’s visit: April 26, L.A. Dodgers vs. Jays in Toronto

Blue Jays fans need to rest the vocal cords, then let the Japanese superstar really hear it opening night of this series. The big story this off-season was the Jays’ courtship of the free agent Ohtani, then the club (and fandom, judging by the emotional reaction when he took $700 million to sign with the Dodgers) was callously used as a bargaining chip by the agents to squeeze more cash from the Dodgers. 

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Don’t listen to anyone who tells you to forget about it, that baseball is a business, blah blah blah. And don’t listen to the agent speak after Ohtani signed the deal that he “felt bad” for “the country of Canada”. Jays’ fans can let Ohtani know what they think of him and the “business” on April 26. Turner is a former Dodgers as well, as said, so that adds a little spice.

Canada Day: July 1, Houston Astros vs. Jays in Toronto

Always a beauty of a day, sun shining, warm, roof is off Rogers Centre, huge Canadian flag sprawled out across the field during the national anthem, stadium jam packed to the rafters, lots of baseball buzz and fun. Hopefully by July the Jays are in the thick of the race.

How are Gurriel Jr. and Moreno coming along?: July 12, at Arizona Diamondbacks

That trade the Jays made with the Diamondbacks last winter, with Daulton Varsho coming to Toronto and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno heading the other way, will always be a source of consternation for Jays fans, as Moreno in particular continues to emerge as a superstar catcher in the league.  This is the first opportunity to really check in on how they’re doing, facing their old team.