Blog

Sports in the City

Toronto Skydome photo overhead
 
 
It could be argued that the sports scene in Toronto has never been more exciting than it is at the present moment. The Raptors, despite their roller-coaster season, are looking to build upon last year’s post-season success. The Maple Leafs have greatly exceeded expectations and are headed towards a playoff berth themselves. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays and TFC are beginning new seasons, each with a championship-caliber roster. The month of April is gearing up to be a busy time for Toronto sports fans. Here is what you can look forward to for your favourite team:
 
Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

 
When the Leafs won the draft lottery in 2016 and selected forward Auston Matthews with the first-overall pick, everyone knew he would be good, but not this good. The rookie recently broke the franchise record for goals by a first-year player and with a few games remaining, he still has time to challenge the team’s record for most rookie points. The unexpected success of Matthews and his teammates has resulted in a high probability of the team making the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in four years – a feat not many thought possible when the season began. However, they are not in the clear quite yet, with other teams just mere points behind for the last few playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. The final week of the season looks to be a stressful one for Leafs die-hards – but that won’t even compare to the intensity of a potential playoff series.
 
Toronto Raptors
TORONTO RAPTORS

 
Despite a season of ups and downs, the Raptors are headed to the postseason for the fourth consecutive year. Along with some great wins came equally as many heartbreaking losses, however the one thing that could always be counted upon was the consistency of guards Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan – that is, until Lowry went down with a hand injury. Luckily, trade deadline pickups Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker have helped the club maintain their winning ways. As the regular season starts to come to an end, the team will attempt to climb in the standings to achieve a favourable first-round matchup. Their challenge in the playoffs will once again be beating LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers, who defeated the Raps in the Conference Finals in 2016.
 
Toronto Blue Jays
TORONTO BLUE JAYS

 
After a long month of Spring Training, the Jays are finally about to begin their season. They will have to do so sans slugger Edwin Encarnacion, who had helped lead the team to two consecutive American League Championship Series appearances. Luckily, franchise icon Jose Bautista is back, as are superstars Josh Donaldson, Troy Tulowitzki and Russell Martin. A strong batting order combined with the same rotation that led the American League in earned run average in 2016 can give Jays fans hope that the team will finally make the World Series for the first time since winning it in 1993. The key to this season will be the health of the club’s star players, and they look to be in good shape heading into the season opener this coming Monday in Baltimore.
 
Toronto FC
TORONTO FC

 
Soccer has started to gain popularity throughout the GTA over the past few years, largely thanks to the success of the city’s local team. TFC, led by star Sebastian Giovinco, advanced to the MLS Cup Finals last season for the first time in franchise history, only to lose the championship game on home turf to Seattle in penalty kicks. With the season just underway, the players can expect a loud welcoming from supporters when the team takes the pitch for their long-awaited home opener on March 31. Giovinco will once again be tasked with leading the club to the finals again this season, however an early season injury to the striker may have already put those plans in jeopardy.