Hey guys the first article in a long while but glad to be back and excited to add to our 6ix blog again, in this post, we will discuss Toronto Sports and the current state of the Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Toronto Raptors.
Toronto Blue Jays
As you all may or may not be aware. The Blue Jays suffered an epic collapse (where have we heard that one before in Toronto sports history I wonder…lol) in their playoff wild card series with the Seattle Mariners. Fans were excited to see the team back in the playoffs, it had been a while since. Unfortunately, that happiness was short-lived as the Jays dropped the first game and were up in the second game of the series at one point 8-1 but ended up losing that game 10-9. George Springer and Bo Bichette collided with each other attempting to go for a fly ball which would have ended the inning. Resulting in a George Springer Injury and 3 runs coming in for the Mariners that ended up tying the game and later Seattle went on to take the lead, the Jays never regained momentum after that disastrous mishap. Many commentators, analysts, and sports personalities likened the inning to the classic one the Jays team of 2015 had against the Texas Rangers when Jose Bautista hit the home run heard around the world along with the now famous bat flip. Although, this inning will be remembered for a negative reason. Thus, the Blue Jays season came to an end in an ugly fashion.
Looking ahead to the future and how the Jays pick up the pieces this off-season after a disappointing end there are a few main focuses. In the series, it was clear that this team needed to shore up its team defense and become a lot stronger in that area, to be better prepared for situations like what happened with Seattle. We also require some more left-handed hitters to make our lineup more versatile and not as easy to shut down with only right-handed batters. Our bullpen let us down and led to the downfall of the series. We need stronger pitching all around, teams that make it far in the postseason all have reliable strong arms at the starting position as well as in relief pitching. Let’s hope the Jays make the necessary changes and improvements to the lineup to get this team over the hump come next season. Talent is there with a good mix of young players and vets, they just need to keep filling in the holes and shore up some things to make this team a true complete top contender.
Toronto Raptors
After bowing out to the Philadelphia 76ers last playoffs, this young group of Raptors has a chance to make some noise this season. Otto Porter Jr is the biggest splash off-season acquisition for the Raps. Realistic expectations for this season are that the team if healthy makes the playoffs and depending on the opponent possibly wins a round or hopefully two. Most NBA experts do not see this roster as currently constructed to be a championship contender just yet. We still lack the necessary depth to make a deep run. Need more player development from our young guys as well. Even still, a starting lineup of Fred VanVleet, OG, Gary Trent Jr, Scottie Barnes, and Pascal Siakam makes a pretty strong consistent group that can compete with the best of them on any given night. One challenge that awaits the Raps this season is that many teams especially in the Eastern conference improved this off-season. While you could argue that the Raps only marginally improved aside from the Otto Porter acquisition, everyone on the team remains untouched. Come season end though the Raps will be fighting for a top 6 spot in the conference, this fact fans can be assured of, they are a good team no doubt about it. Not to mention we cannot forget there is still playoff experience amongst the group that should not be overlooked by any opposing team. One thing I am hoping to see this season is Chris Boucher(who resigned this offseason by the way) take a step forward in his game and become more of a threat on the offensive glass. Hopefully, he can take his defensive game to the next level as well. We shall see only time will tell but I have a good feeling about this team, looking forward to seeing how the season plays out and beyond.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Believe it or not, I’m very optimistic about the Leafs this season. No, I’m not just saying that, there are reasons to feel good about them. For starters, undeniably this is the most depth this team has had in the GM Kyle Dubas era. On paper, this team is truly fantastic and should be able to make the playoffs, create some noise and go on a deep run. After building this team for years, this should be the case. They will be a force to be reckoned with this season. Some might even say it could be their “year”( I know, I know, relax lol). Where the Leafs will have the toughest go is getting over the mental hurdle they seem to have in the big moments come postseason time. Their biggest issue regardless of opponent remains what’s between their ears. Additionally, they possess a goalie tandem that seems to be strong, they have depth at forward, some of the best players in the league up front actually, and a defence corps that seems to be improving. Their d core has a nice mix of veteran and young players with talent like the Blue Jays. They have leaders throughout the lineup, and nobody can deny the potential this team has, they just have to go out there and prove all the doubters wrong and show that this time is really different. I fully expect Matthews, Marner, JT, and Nylander to be up to their old tricks this season putting up great offensive numbers and leading the way for the team. New additions that should add much-needed depth, scoring, defense, and versatility to this season’s lineup include Denis Malgin, who has tons of speed/skill which fits right in with how this team wants to play. Calle Jarnkrok has been called a swiss army knife type of player because he can do it all, Aston Reese brings that grit and sandpaper to the bottom of the lineup. As well as Aube Kubel(Who is now on the Washington Capitals) who brings speed, grit, offensive ability, and championship experience having won with Colorado last season. Of course, you know what to expect out of guys like Tavares(captain JT), Kerfoot, Engvall, and Kampf. On defense a whole season of Mark Giordano will do wonders for how this team keeps the puck out of the net. Muzzin brings that physical edge and grit, Rielly and Sandin have a similar style of play both being offensive minded puck moving d men who have loads of skill. Liljegren the young d man has a chance to show his ability and how he has improved over the summer.
To me, the Leafs smartest and most reliable d man is TJ Brodie he’s just a solid stay at home make the right play type of defensemen. He always seems to be in the right spot and makes a great first pass, I really like his game. I’m excited to see what Samsonov can bring to the net and of course to have Matt Murray with his championship pedigree as your main goalie will be huge for the confidence this team has playing in front of him. There were many players such as stand-out Nick Robertson(who the Leafs expect to get called up sooner or later) and others that went down to the minors as the leafs finalized their roster for the season. However, the Leafs have made it clear that internal competition from guys on the team and those fighting for a spot from the minors will continue all season. Every coach’s dream is to have guys pushing each other throughout the year, so by the end of it you have the guys playing at their best to remain in the lineup. All the great teams have that healthy competition within and it looks like the Leafs will be no different this season. If you are working hard and playing well you deserve to be in the lineup and I like this approach by management to create a good work ethic and successful culture amongst the group. They expect to win and any less would be seen as a disappointment which is exactly how their mindset should be.
Fans should be excited like I am and expect a fast paced-skilled team, but I guess we shall have to wait and see how they handle challenges/disappointments and when things aren’t going as well. Can they withstand the pressure of playing in this market when the heat is on? Are they able to fight through the adversity that comes with playing an 82-game schedule plus playoffs and come out of it mentally stronger? Have they truly learned and become better from the ghosts of playoffs past? Or are they still cursed/haunted by them? Will their experiences as a group who have been there before help them going forward? So many questions left to be answered, let’s see what happens until then GO LEAFS GO! And stay positive/classy guys take the good with the bad. It is a long season after all, cheers.
Until the next one,
Team 6ixhappening, signing off.