Blue Jays' 2010 season starts in Texas
Host White Sox in home opener, play 36 home games against AL East
Like many athletes, baseball players often say they don't look beyond the next game. However, that rule doesn't apply to fans.
With the Toronto Blue Jays mathematically eliminated from playoff contention after Monday's 6-5 extra-inning loss at Detroit, it's time for the paying customers to get a glimpse of what next season might bring.
The Blue Jays will open 2010 on the road against the Texas Rangers with a three-game series beginning April 5.
A three-game set at the Baltimore Orioles will follow before Toronto returns to the Rogers Centre for its home opener April 12 against the Chicago White Sox at 7:20 p.m. ET.
The 2010 season will mark the fourth time the Blue Jays have hosted the White Sox to start their home schedule, most recently in 1997. They played their inaugural game against Chicago on April 7, 1977 and then again in 1994.
It also marks the fourth time in franchise history the Blue Jays have started a season against the Texas Rangers. The team opened against the Rangers in Texas in 1986 and 1990, and in Puerto Rico in 2001.
The Blue Jays play 36 of their 81 home games against their divisional rivals from the American League East, hosting the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore nine times each.
Toronto's interleague schedule kicks off with a nine-game homestand against the San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies from June 18 to 27.
The Blue Jays travel to three National League cities next summer: Arizona (May 21-23), Colorado (June 11-13) and San Diego (June 14-16).
Toronto (65-79) wraps up this season's home schedule on Sept. 29 against the Yankees. The Blue Jays' regular season ends Oct. 3 in Minnesota.