Is this the Blue Jays' year?

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The Toronto Blue Jays were one of the best teams in baseball in 2021. They had two of the three finalists for American League MVP, the AL Cy Young winner, a strong supporting cast around those players, and the fifth-best run differential in the majors. They also closed the season on a 22-9 hot streak. That's the profile of a true World Series contender.

And yet, Toronto didn't even make the post-season, falling one game short of AL East rivals Boston and New York in the wild-card chase. The combination of a tough schedule, being forced to play the bulk of their "home" games in U.S. minor-league parks due to Canada's COVID-19 restrictions, and plain old bad luck ultimately sunk the Blue Jays.

But now it's time for a fresh start. Thursday is Opening Day, that great symbol of optimism for everyone in baseball. And the Jays, who open Friday night at home vs. Texas, can be more optimistic than most. There's a good chance they not only make the playoffs this year, but challenge for their first World Series title since going back-to-back in 1992 and '93.

Here's a quick catchup ahead of what should be another exciting season for Canada's only Major League Baseball team:

Two star players left. AL MVP finalist Marcus Semien and Cy Young winner Robbie Ray both got offers they couldn't refuse in free agency. Semien parlayed his uncommon 45 homers from the second-base position into a seven-year, $175-million US megadeal with Texas (which now has a half-billion-dollar middle infield after luring shortstop Corey Seager from the Dodgers for 10 years and $325 million). Ray got a five-year,