TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays started last season with an April swoon that they never really recovered from. Buoyed by a four-game winning streak and a return to the .500 mark entering play Thursday night, manager John Gibbons said the feeling around the team is much better now than this time last year. "No doubt. I think last year was a little bit of a shock to everybody," Gibbons said during a pre-game availability. "But I think they always had a good attitude. But everybody was kind of like they got hit by a two-by-four ... I definitely feel something different this year. "Theyre feeling good." Expectations were sky-high for last years squad after an off-season makeover brought in big names like R.A. Dickey, Jose Reyes, Melky Cabrera and Mark Buehrle. However, the team lost 21 of its first 31 games and struggled to a last-place finish in the American League East. General manager Alex Anthopoulos kept the changes to a minimum in the last off-season. There are early signs that might have been a prudent approach. The Blue Jays had a few hiccups in recent weeks -- including a couple meltdowns from their usually strong bullpen -- but appear to be back in form as they continued a nine-game homestand Thursday night against the Philadelphia Phillies. Torontos starting rotation has been anchored by the steady play of Buehrle, who is off to a 6-1 start with a sparkling 1.91 earned-run average. The Blue Jays starters have been going deeper into games and easing the pressure on the bullpen, which looked good early on but has had some inconsistent patches. Closer Casey Janssen could return from his rehab assignment in the coming days and that would also give the relief crew a boost. Injuries were a problem last year. The absence of Reyes for most of the first half of the season had a ripple effect through the order and his defensive skills were missed. His troublesome hamstring was an issue last month but his game appears to be coming around. A big difference early on this year is the meat of the lineup looks comfortable and is getting results. Entering play Thursday, Melky Cabrera (.329, 6 HR, 14 RBIs) leads the American League with 48 hits, Jose Bautista (.300, 9 HR, 21 RBIs) has reached base in all 34 games and leads the American League with a 1.041 OPS (on-base plus slugging) while Edwin Encarnacion (.242, 4 HR, 21 RBIs) has been a threat in the cleanup spot. There have also been some nice bonuses. Backup catcher Josh Thole is hitting .400, Juan Francisco filled in admirably when Adam Lind went down with a back problem and regular catcher Dioner Navarro has a .300 average. Lind was activated Thursday and served as the designated hitter against the Phillies. He was hitting .324 at the time of his injury. The Blue Jays have also been hitting for power -- they lead the American League with 44 home runs and a team slugging percentage of .432 entering play against Philadelphia. No one is strutting around the dugout after splitting the first 34 games of the season. But its a marked improvement from the 13-23 record and woeful .361 winning percentage the Blue Jays had on this date last year. Perhaps the positive feelings are boosted by the fact the other American League East clubs are in a similar boat with only 3 1/2 games separating first from worst. The Blue Jays will play four games against the Los Angeles Angels before closing out the homestand with a three-game set against the Cleveland Indians. Nike Air Max Flair Scontate .Shipulin pulled away from Martin Fourcade of France, Simon Eder of Austria and Fredrik Lindstrom of Sweden to finish in 35 minutes 16.8 seconds. Fourcade was 1.2 seconds back in second place to reclaim the overall World Cup lead, with Eder another 0. 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This fight card, which takes place in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, has had a number of changes, including headliner Lyoto Machida replaced by fellow Brazilian Rafael Natal.England would be better off starting with Harry Kane instead of Daniel Sturridge in Fridays World Cup Qualifier against Scotland, according to Danny Higginbotham. The Liverpool striker is expected to get the nod to lead the line for Gareth Southgates side at Wembley, but tactical expert Higginbotham believes Scotlands deep defensive line might make it difficult for him to use his pace.Daniel Sturridge is a fantastic player who likes to play on the shoulder of opposition defences, he told Sky Sports. The problem youre going to find is that the back four are going to be happy to play deep and narrow. The midfield are going to come tight and deep too. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. What you are going to find then is that there isnt going to be the space for Sturridge to run into. It doesnt matter how quick you are, theres not going to be any space to expose the oppositions lack of pace, unless you get an early goal. Danny Higginbotham thinks Daniel Sturridge could struggle to find space Youre not going to shift that back four around too much and that becomes a bit of an issue because youll find a lot of players are grouped together with a lack of movement.ddddddddddddSouthgates apparent decision to start with Sturridge raised eyebrows in some quarters. The 27-year-old scored in Englands recent 2-0 win over Malta, but he is yet to net a Premier League goal this season having fallen down the pecking order under Jurgen Klopp. Merse on England v Scotland England must put Scotland under pressure at Wembley, says Paul Merson Higginbotham believes Tottenhams Kane, who scored from the penalty spot on his return from injury against Arsenal at the weekend, could be better equipped to break Scotland down.What you see with Harry Kane is that hes quite happy to drop deep, said Higginbotham. The problem you then have as a centre-back is, do you go with him or do you not? If you dont then hes able to turn and look for the likes of Raheem Sterling and Theo Walcott. But if you go tight, then youre still leaving space between the centre-backs and full-backs. Thats why I think its key for Kane to play.Higginbotham also discusses how Wayne Rooney could help unlock Scotlands defence from midfield, and assesses Scotlands attacking options. Watch the video above to see his full analysis. Also See: Merse on England v Scotland Sturridge no risk, Rooney is Poppy action down to match chief VOTE: England or Scotland? ' ' '