Stroman to Jays: Give me the ball opening day

TORONTO — In all likelihood deciding on an opening day starter will be a slam-dunk decision for Blue Jays manager John Gibbons.

But just in case he needs a little prod, Marcus Stroman is here to help.

“I think I should have the ball on opening day, 100%,” Stroman said of the March 29 home and season opener against their powerful division rivals from the Bronx. “I’ll be ready to face the Yankees.”

Stroman said he thrives on big situations, particularly in front of 50,000 plus at his team’s home stadium.

“I can throw my sinker against any hitter in any count in any situation,” Stroman said Saturday at the Jays Winter Fest. “I’m not timid at all. The bigger the game gets, the more emotional I get. Pitching in front of 50,000 people in here, there’s nobody you want on the mound other than me.”