(Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)

The Toronto Blue Jays might have been a surprise last season when they came close to winning the World Series.

Another successful season, however, would be no surprise. This year they will carry the burden of high expectations into their 50th anniversary season, which will open Friday night against the visiting Athletics.

The Blue Jays went 94-68 in 2025 to win the American League East and took the Los Angeles Dodgers to the 11th inning of Game 7 of the World Series before losing.

When spring training opened, Toronto manager John Schneider addressed the team about the approach to this season.

'The main message was we're not defending anything,' Schneider said. 'We're not defending the AL East. We're not defending the American League. We're attacking 2026 like we did '25, or any year, really, when you're trying to win your division, trying to win the World Series. Bringing to light the things that made us really good last year and how we can continue to build upon those with the people we have in the room.'

Schneider and general manager Ross Atkins were rewarded with contract extensions.

The Athletics are in a different position as they try to build on their 76-86 record from last season and a fourth-place finish in the AL West.

They were encouraged by their 35-29 record after the All-Star break and hope it carries into 2026.

'The group is excited about what they feel they can accomplish,' Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. 'There's a lot of excitement, not just on our end as a staff, but from a player perspective as well. They know what we're capable of doing. ... Overall, they're prepared for a season and ready to get it going on Friday.'

The Blue Jays are scheduled to start Kevin Gausman (10-11, 3.59 ERA in 2025) in the opener. The right-hander was 2-3 with a 2.93 ERA in six postseason outings (five starts) last year.

Gausman is 2-4 with a 3.00 ERA in 10 career appearances (all starts) against the Athletics.

Luis Severino (8-11, 4.54 ERA in 2025) will start for the Athletics on Friday. The right-hander posted a 5.16 ERA over the first half of 2025 but finished 6-0, 3.10, in his final nine starts.

In his career, Severino is 6-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 19 career games (16 starts) against the Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays have lost shortstop Bo Bichette, starting pitcher Chris Bassitt and reliever Seranthony Dominguez in the offseason. The team added starting pitchers Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, reliever Tyler Rogers, third baseman Kazuma Okamoto and outfielder Jesus Sanchez.

Pitchers Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios and Yimi Garcia and outfielder Anthony Santander will start the season on the injured list.

Despite the departure of Bichette (New York Mets), Toronto has a strong lineup led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is coming off a superb postseason (8 HRs, 15 RBIs, .397 BA) that continued into the WBC for the Dominican Republic, and George Springer (32 HRs, 84 RBIs, .309 BA during the regular season).

Guerrero batted .292 during the regular season, with 23 homers and 84 RBIs.

The Athletics again will have a potent offense with Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers, Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom, Jacob Wilson and Lawrence Butler. But pitching will determine how much they will improve this season.

A strong return by Jacob Lopez from an elbow injury could be a key.

--Field Level Media