MLB PREVIEW: Let's Play Two. Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#18.

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PROJECTED LINEUP
SS Jose Reyes
C Russell Martin
3B Josh Donaldson
RF Jose Bautista
DH Edwin Encarnacion
1B Justin Smoak
DH Dayan Viciedo
2B Devon Travis
CF Dalton Pompey

PROJECTED ROTATION
RA Dickey
Mark Buerhle
Drew Hutchinson
Marco Estrada
Aaron Sanchez

PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer: Brett Cecil
Set-up: Steve Delabar

Top Prospect: Daniel Norris (LHP)

BREAKOUT - There is a good chance one of the Blue Jay's young arms prove to be bonafide major leaguers this season. Aaron Sanchez is a 22 year-old right hander can reach the upper 90s, but needs to limit the walks. Daniel Norris however has better command of all his pitches and could stand out in his age 21 season.

SPRING STORYLINES - The free additions were suppose to put the Blue Jays over the top, but we have heard that pitch for before. Jose Reyes and Mark Buerhle did not push them past the other teams in the East. It will be interesting to see if a Russell Martin and Josh Donaldson can.

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 83-79 (3rd in AL East)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 82-80 (4th in AL East)

#17.

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Dexter Fowler
SS Starlin Castro
1B Anthony Rizzo
RF Jorge Soler
C Miguel Montero
3B Kris Bryant
2B Javier Baez
LF Chris Coghlan

PROJECTED ROTATION
Jon Lester
Jake Arrieta
Jason Hammel
Travis Wood
Kyle Hendriks

PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer: Hector Rondon
Set-up: Pedro Strop

Top Prospect: Kris Bryant (3B)

BREAKOUT - The idea here is the entire team is going to breakout at once and they are going to go from worst to first. But it takes time for some prospects to reach their full potential. While Kris Bryant may win Rookie of the Year, Rizzo could be an all-star selection, Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, and Addison Russell still have holes in their game to fill.

SPRING STORYLINES - The signing of Jon Lester was a statement. The Cubs believe they are ready to contend and contend this season. They play in a challenging division, but if the pitching staff keeps it together, they should be able to make noise postseason noise.

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 73-89 (5th in NL Central)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 83-79 (3rd in NL Central)

**Check back tomorrow for the Yankees and Giants*