The Toronto Blue Jays announced that Alek Manoah will start the team’s season opener against the St. Louis Cardinals. This marks a significant moment for the talented right-hander, as it will be his first-ever Opening Day start.

Manoah had an incredible season in 2022, making his first All-Star Game appearance and even placing among the finalists for the American League Cy Young award. With a record of 16-7, a 2.24 ERA and 180 strikeouts across 196 2/3 innings, Manoah was undoubtedly one of the standout performers in the league.

With such an impressive track record, it comes as no surprise that there are incredibly high expectations for Manoah in the upcoming season. And, his selection as the season opener starter has only added to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the Blue Jays’ campaign.

Since making his Major League Baseball debut in May 2021, Manoah has shown excellent performance and has already amassed an impressive record of 25-9 and an ERA of 2.60. All indicators suggest that he has a bright future ahead of him as he continues to impress both fans and fellow players alike.

In addition to the announcement of Manoah’s first Opening Day start, Blue Jays manager John Schneider also recently revealed that left-hander Yusei Kikuchi is set to be part of the team’s starting rotation for the upcoming season. This news has undoubtedly been exciting for fans, who are eager to see how the team will perform with its new lineup.

And, from the looks of his performance this spring, Kikuchi seems poised to deliver on the expectations. He has looked sharp and in control on the mound, displaying both confidence and command with his impressive range of pitches. With his fastball clocked at an average of 94.6 mph and an impressive Strikeout-to-Walk ratio of 5:1, it seems that Kikuchi is set to be a key component of the Blue Jays’ starting rotation this season.

All in all, it appears that the Toronto Blue Jays are primed and ready for an exciting and successful season ahead. With both Manoah and Kikuchi set to deliver on their potential, fans can expect some thrilling performances both on and off the field from this formidable team.