If the Montréal experiment ever suffers a setback, 2018 may be that year.
The games are on a Monday and Tuesday of Easter week instead of a Friday and Saturday. The St. Louis Cardinals, the Toronto Blue Jays 2018 opponent, don't have a significant connection to the Montréal Expos.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are on the roster in Montréal. The senior Guerrero won't be in Montréal for "family reasons." The timing is a shame since Guerrero will be enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer.
Josh Donaldson and Devon Travis won't be in Montréal due to concerns over potential injuries thanks to the carpet at Olympic Stadium.
Toronto Blue Jays at Olympic Stadium in Montréal
Date | Opponent | Score | Attendance |
April 1, 2017 | Pittsburgh | Toronto 6-4 | 52,202 |
March 31, 2017 | Pittsburgh | Tie 1-1 | 43,180 |
April 2, 2016 | Boston | Boston 7-4 | 53,420 |
April 1, 2016 | Boston | Boston 4-2 (10) | 52,682 |
April 4, 2015 | Cincinnati | Toronto 9-1 | 50,231 |
April 3, 2015 | Cincinnati | Cincinnati 2-0 | 46,314 |
March 29, 2014 | NY Mets | Toronto 2-0 | 50,229 |
March 28, 2014 | NY Mets | Toronto 5-4 | 46,121 |
Marcus Stroman is expected to start Monday's game in Montréal.
The Toronto Blue Jays are 4-3-1 in the series, but as we all know, these games don't count in the regular standings. The 2018 Toronto Blue Jays home opener is Thursday afternoon against the New York Yankees.
Monday's game will compete directly with the Montréal Canadiens home game against Detroit. Then again, Stade Olympique might be a better environment than the Centre Bell, given the Habs woes this season.
2018 Toronto Blue Jays spring training schedule
Toronto Blue Jays 2017 Montreal visit successful on and off the field
CanadianCrossing.com MLB coverage
Elliott Price will help out on the Toronto Blue Jays radio feed in Montréal. Price used to call Montréal Expos games but isn't being considered to replace Jerry Howarth on play by play.
Both games will air live on Rogers Sportsnet in Canada. MLB Network will carry the Monday telecast on a tape-delayed basis at 6 am Eastern on Tuesday morning. The U.S. channel will carry Tuesday's game live at 7 pm Eastern.
photo credit: MLB
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