Published Mar 29, 2025 • Last updated 14 hours ago • 4 minute readThe Blue Jays logo is pictured ahead of MLB baseball action in Toronto on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. The Toronto Blue Jays host a weekend series against the Los Angeles Angels, a team fighting for an American League (AL) wild-card spot. – Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press Photo by Christopher Katsarov /Christopher KatsarovI am not a Toronto Blue Jays fan, as you probably know by now, but after watching the Jays in Spring Training, I will not be surprised if they finish in the top three in the American League (AL) East.I like their starting pitching and bullpen. If Max Scherzer wins 10 to 15 games, which I think he can, Toronto will certainly be a top-three club barring injuries.Shortstop Bo Bichette is in line for a terrific season. He has been outstanding this spring at the plate and in the field. Bichette and Gold Glove second-sacker Andres Gimenez provide the Toronto club with air-tight defence in the middle of the diamond.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentI love third-sacker Ernie Clement and expect him and rookie Will Wagner to solidify the hot corner. Clement will open eyes with his bat – 12 home runs in half a season last year.If Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and outfielder Anthony Santander produce big numbers, as I expect they will, the Blue Jays will be no worse than third, maybe. . . Let’s not go there!I was surprised that Addie Barger was sent to Buffalo after hot Spring Training numbers – three home runs and batting around .350. He’ll be back before July.I was also shocked reliever Ryan Yarbrough, the crafty lefty who pitched 98 innings last season split between the Dodgers and Blue Jays with a sharp 3.10 ERA, wasn’t travelling with the Opening-Day lineup. Yarbrough opted for free agency and was picked up a day later by the New York Yankees.I have no faith in manager John Schneider. He’ll get outmanaged most nights by American League East rivals, especially the Red Sox’s Alex Cora and Yankees’ Aaron Boone.QMJHLThe Charlottetown Islanders opened the Quebec Maritimes Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) playoffs in Rimouski, Que., on March 28. The teams play again March 29, with the series continuing in Charlottetown on April 1, 2 and 4, if necessary.Article contentThe Islanders, who won and lost versus Rimouski in the regular season, are not expected to win this series. But Charlottetown could win a game or two if Ross Campbell, the heart and soul of the team, is available.NHLThe Toronto Maple Leafs have a favorable upcoming schedule but, in the last week of the regular season, they meet Florida, Tampa Bay and Carolina on the road.Hockey expert Jamie MacLeod doesn’t think the Maple Leafs are ready for a long run while Toronto St. Mike’s historian John Costick and former Charlottetown referee Cam MacPhee envision a lengthy Toronto playoff run. We shall see!Harness racingIn harness racing news, the big story out of Mohawk last week was the performance by Charlottetown-owned Merigo Magic, who flew home for driver James MacDonald and finished a vicious second in 1:50.3 in the $36,000 top class. I asked James on March 23 what he thought of the colt, and he just said, “Wow, home in 26:2, some impressive.”Merigo Magic goes in the feature March 29 but, this time, Adam Merner gets the call for trainer Gary Merner. James drives second favourite Fortify (5-2). Odds on Capitalism is listed at 2-1, the Magic horse morning-line 8-1. Can he win? Just ask Mike May, Herman MacQuaid, Ian Walker or Derrick Cameron. Of course, he can. My odds, I have him at 3-1 -7:2.Article contentAlso on March 29, Bee Two Bee and Tobins Chester are in against one another in Race 1 ($24,000), a tough group.Eliot Moose and All Bets on Tex are in Race 14, also at $24,000.At The Meadowlands on March 22, Saulsbroook Victor upset Mad Max Hanover in the $36,000 winners-over class for driver Brett MacDonald and trainer Ron MacDonald.Some bad news, however, we regret to report the passing of Carolyn Murphy, Ray’s wife, who enjoyed watching her baby trotters Freddy and Irish Ray at Red Shores Charlottetown over the past few years. Our condolences to Ray and to sons Ryan and Jeff and all connected to this classy lady.Also, Clarkie Smith, another classy individual and one of the greatest drivers ever to come out of Prince Edward Island, is no longer with us. He was a regular with the Ken and Cliff Murphy Stable and he’s pictured in this month’s Atlantic Post Calls. A long time ago, Clarkie just missed the Gold Cup and Saucer with Tammany Hall and had standouts like Sugar Blaze, Rose Robin and Ohios Orphan.Also in this edition of Post Calls, Billy O’Donnell talks about Far Stride and Wally McInnis from 1967.On a lighter side, I dropped into the city track on March 23 watching horses train. I noticed Joey Farrell jogging a new horse that he, Joey MacKinnon and a few other city workers purchased. Farell was subbing for MacKinnon in the jog cart – all decked out like a big-time trainer. Next, he’ll want to be a driver!Fred MacDonald’s column appears every Saturday in The Guardian. He can be reached at fiddlersfacts@hotmail.com. Article content
Charlottetown Islanders facing Rimouski Oceanic in Round 1 of QMJHL playoffs
