Blue Jays vs. Twins roundup prior to Game 1

Rematch of last year’s dismal AL Wildcard Series

On Friday night at Rogers Centre, the Blue Jays squared off against the Minnesota Twins for the first of a three-game series, emerging from a disappointing 2-3 road trip. It was, of course, the first time the two teams had met since the ill-fated Wildcard Series at Target Field last October.

“No, not really,” Jays’ manager John Schneider said when asked whether those memories of two games and out had crossed his mind as he prepared his troops for the rematch, some seven months later. “It’s a team that’s really hot right now that you’re trying to keep them in the ballpark and get some runs off their starters, because they have a good back end of the bullpen. It’s a new year. It’s a new team. We’re just trying to focus on this year.”

Injury News:  There is some clarity on the injured Blue Jays and seeing light at the end of the various tunnels. RH Bowden Francis (forearm tendinitis) threw a bullpen at RC, simulating two innings by sitting down and then going back out there, throwing a tot…