Its tough enough for the Blue Jays to be playing in the American League East to get even a sniff of the postseason. Then youve got to worry about the other up and coming teams in the two weaker divisions in the "Junior Circuit". If you had to peg one team whom the Blue Jays will have to reckon with in 2014, it would be Kansas City. The Royals finished with an 86-76 record a year ago and missed the playoffs. However that record was 12 games better than the Jays 74-88. One bad month really cost KC a spot in the playoffs a year ago. They went 8-20 in May. Every other month, they were over .500 including 17-10 in September. Kansas City scuffled a bit to score runs in 2013 averaging four per game, but the Blue Jays werent all that much better at 4.40 runs per game. The big difference was in runs allowed by the starting rotation and the bullpen. The Royals starters had an ERA of 3.87 to the Blue Jays 4.81 which was well above the American League average of 4.17. As highly touted as the Blue Jays bullpen was, its ERA of 3.37 was no match for the Royals 2.55. This is in part because of the Royals spacier ballpark, but KC only gave up 155 home runs over the course of the season to the Jays ugly total of 195. If you want to talk team speed, the Blue Jays stole 112 bases, which was better than the league average of 95, but the Royals were even better swiping 153. You could argue the Royals will be even better in 2014. Although they lost Ervin Santana as a free agent, they added durable lefty and former Angel Jason Vargas to plug into the rotation. They also have an elite closer in Greg Holland who saved 47 out of 50 a year ago and a workhorse starter to lead the rotation in James Shields, who through 228.2 innings last season. The Royals also upgraded at second base and right field. They filled a major hole at the keystone by signing former Tiger Omar Infante to a four-year deal worth $30.25 million and traded for speedy right fielder Norichika Aoki, who will take over as their leadoff hitter. KCs secret weapon might just be 22-year-old right-hander Yordano Ventura. Though only 511", he throws consistantly in high 90s and has been known to hit between 100 and 102mph on occasion. Hes already earned a spot in skipper Ned Yosts rotation and is being touted as one of the top candidates for rookie of the year. Since Pittsburgh made the playoffs last season, Kansas City and the Blue Jays are the two teams that have gone the longest between post-season appearances. The Royals havent made it since they won the World Series over St. Louis in 1985. The Blue Jays of course, havent made it since winning their second straight World Series in 1993. The Blue Jays play the Royals seven times this season, from April 29 through May 1 in Missouri and then back in Toronto from May 29 through June 1. Those are seven games of their first 58 that could well prove whether the Jays are good enough to contend for a Wild Card spot, or which team of these two will wind up with the longest postseason drought when the 2014 season is all said and done. Around Spring Training Injuries turned right-hander Josh Johnson into arguably the biggest disappointment of the Blue Jays season a year ago. Unfortunately his luck hasnt changed much in San Diego. The 30-year-old right-hander is going to be out 4-to-5 weeks with a strained right forearm. Tough blow for the Texas Rangers. Their young second baseman Jurickson Profar is out 10 to 12 weeks with a slight muscle tear in his right shoulder. Profar was expected to shoulder the load at second since Ian Kinsler was dealt to Detroit as part of the Prince Fielder deal. Profar hasnt proven himself as a big league hitter yet, but his glove and arm are world class. Yes, its only spring training, but the Yankees have got to be a bit concerned that Derek Jeter is only hitting .114 and Mark Teixiera only .120. Great to see David Ortiz is probably going to end his career in Boston. After all hes been pretty much the face of the franchise for the last 10 years. Ortiz agreed over the weekend to a one-year, $15 million extension for 2015. He also has a vesting option for 2016 and there is a club option for 2017 by which time Ortiz will be 42 years old. Erik Bedard is looking for new gig. The 35-year-old southpaw and native of Navan, Ontario opted out of his deal with Tampa Bay after the fifth starters job went to 24-year-old Jake Odorizzi. Bedard just didnt want to go back to Triple-A at this stage of his career. Experienced Help We mentioned a couple of articles ago that a former Blue Jays third baseman, Roy Howell, was managing in Triple-A this season at Tacoma. Now another Ex-Jay, Tom Lawless, has taken over as interim manager at Oklahoma City in the Pacific Coast League. Lawless will be filling in for Ton DeFrancesco who was diagnosed with cancer while working in the parent Astros camp this spring. DeFrancescos cancer was caught early enough that he is expected to make a full recovery. Phillip Gaines Jersey . They have homered once every 27.3 at bats, which just happens to be the third best mark in the American League, albeit just 10 games into the season. Marcus Murphy Jersey . Paul, MN (SportsNetwork. http://www.officialbuffalobillsfootball.com/authentic-micah-hyde-jersey-womens . - John Elways philosophy is to address immediate needs in free agency, even though some of his own veterans may prove too pricey to keep around. Tremaine Edmunds Jersey . -- Packers cornerback Tramon Williams has been fined $26,250 for contact with an official, per NFL guidelines. TreDavious White Jersey . "Im going to send Webbie a six-pack (of beer) tonight," she said. Webb wasnt sure that would help. "Ill probably drink one and go to sleep," the Australian veteran said. The two players set up a Sunday showdown between former HSBC champions after finishing off their third rounds with identical birdies over three of the last five holes Saturday to separate themselves slightly from the rest of the crowded leaderboard.PORTLAND, Ore. -- Nicolas Batum had 14 points and a career-high 18 rebounds and the Portland Trail Blazers routed Atlanta 102-78, a loss that marked the end of Hawks guard Kyle Korvers NBA-record streak of 127 games with a 3-pointer. Korver had surpassed Dana Barros record of 89 straight, set from 1994-96, earlier this season. He was 0 for 5 from 3-point range against the Blazers. Portland, which led by as many as 29 points, has won six of its last seven games while keeping pace as one of the teams battling for the top four seeds in the West. The Hawks have lost four straight and 12 of their last 13 as they fight to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Batum has had at least 11 rebounds in his last three games, and he has seven double-doubles this season. Mo Williams added 15 points off the bench for Portland, which had six players in double figures. Cartier Martin had 16 points off the bench for Atlanta. Portland is coming off a 107-106 loss to the Lakers on Monday that snapped a five-game winning streak. All-Star Damian Lillard started for the Blazers despite missing practice because of a stomach bug, but the Blazers were still without forward Thomas Robinson, who has a sore left knee. Portland also was without forward Joel Freeland because of a right knee injury. All-Star forward Paul Millsap missed his fifth straight game for the Hawks because of a right knee contusion. His absence hurts Attlanta, which is already without big men Al Horford and Gustavo Ayon for the season.dddddddddddd Lillards 3-pointer put the Blazers up 20-17 in the first quarter. Dorell Wright made a 3-pointer and two of three free throws to give the Blazers a 29-19 lead going into the second. Portland pushed the lead to 42-28 on Wesley Matthews 3-pointer midway thought the second quarter. Batum made it 51-33 with a 3-pointer late in the half, and the Blazers went to the break with a 56-38 advantage. The Hawks struggled in the first half, shooting just 25 per cent (11 of 44) from the floor for their lowest first-half percentage of the season. Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge was also having a tough start, going 0 for 6 from the floor with three rebounds. The three-time All-Star went into the game averaging 23.7 points and 11.2 rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridges jumper -- his first basket from the field -- put the Blazers up 68-46 in the third quarter. He finished with 12 points. Will Bartons 3-pointer pushed Portlands lead to 87-60 in the second half and the Hawks could never catch up. NOTES: It was the first of two meetings between the teams this season. .... The two have split the last two regular-season series 1-1. ... Following Wednesday nights game, the Blazers embark on a five-game road trip. ... Oregon Ducks coach Dana Altman was among the fans at the game. Altman coached Korver at Creighton before heading to Eugene. 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