TORONTO

Marcus Stroman is so happy that Jose Bautista is back with the Toronto Blue Jays, he’s picking the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the Super Bowl next month.

“Bautista is a huge Steelers fan, so let’s go with Bautista’s Steelers,” Stroman told the Toronto Sun after he was asked Friday to make his football pick.

“I’m not picking the Patriots. I’m just a fan of Antonio Brown lately; not what he was doing recently (when the wide receiver shared locker room video on Facebook Live), but I like what he does. He works extremely hard, I’ve seen his work ethic in the gym and that guy gets after it, so let’s go with the Steelers.”

Last year, the Opening Day starting pitcher picked Cam Newton’s Carolina Panthers, who ended up losing to the Broncos.

“I did,” the right-hander grins. “Cam’s my guy.”

Stroman was in Toronto along with infielder Ryan Goins and the newly acquired first baseman Steve Pearce as part of the Blue Jays’ Winter Tour.

We caught up with Stroman and Goins to talk about off days in the 6ix, the Raptors, and whether we can expect to see any of them following Josh Donaldson into the world of acting.

What do you think of the Blue Jays new red and white “Canadiana” uniforms?

Goins:“I like them. I’m a fan, I’m a fan of the red shoes as well. It will be a nice change from what we’re used to. It’s the country’s colour and the country’s team.”

How do you spend your off days in the city?

Goins: “A lot of shopping. I like to go shopping, I’m not going to lie. I go to Yorkville, or golf. Those are my two things you’re most likely to catch me doing on an off day.”

Stroman:“This year, I might go to Muskoka more often for a little getaway.”

Will you follow Josh Donaldson’s steps and try your hand at acting?

Stroman:“Absolutely. That’s the next step.”

What’s your favourite local restaurant?

Goins: “It’ll seem like a real generic answer, but I love Kasa Moto in Yorkville. I love sushi and they got it going on over there.”

What would you like do in the city that you haven’t tried this season?

Goins: “I’ve been to a lot of places here, but the one thing I haven’t done is go to a cottage in Muskoka. I know it’s a drive and it’s not in Toronto, but that’s one thing that everyone talks about and tells me I have to do. Also, Canada’s Wonderland. I haven’t done that. Maybe on an off-day or during the All-Star break.”

So far, what has been your most favourite fan encounter?

Goins: “There’s not just one time. I think after the trade deadline in 2015 when the fans just started showing up; when we had 45,000, 50,000 for (David) Price’s first start. After that you couldn’t go anywhere without people knowing who you were. It’s crazy now compared to what it used to be.”

What do you think of the Raptors playoff chances this year?

Stroman: “They have the foundation, it’s just a matter of getting over that hump and beating the Cavs and I think they have the pieces to do it. It just comes down to putting in a good seven-game series against them ... What (Kyle) Lowry and (DeMar) DeRozan are doing, it’s incredible. Those are my guys. I’m looking forward to seeing them keep doing that and doing that in the playoffs too.”

Goins: “Being on the West Coast we don’t get to see them a lot. I like the Raptors, but I’m not going to lie, I’m a LeBron (James) fan. Canada will probably hate me for that one, but Cleveland’s going to be hard to beat. But I’m always rooting for the Raptors and their guys do the same for us. You’ll see all the other teams come to support us. Seeing the TFC in the MLS final, that was exciting.”

How are you spending the off-season?

Stroman:“I do a lot. Make music. I went to Napa and explored some wineries. Fashion, I love clothes. I’m always shopping.”

Marcus, you’ve already done guest vocals on Mike Stud’s Shine. Will you make a full-length album?

Stroman: “Absolutely.”

Toronto has a huge film festival every September. Who is your favourite actor and what’s your favourite movie?

Goins:“I like comedy movies and I’m a big Kevin Hart fan. I’m also a big Denzel (Washington) fan. I like Will Smith. His films lately are a little too emotional. Anything that’s Marvel, the Avengers, I like that.”

Stroman: “Denzel Washington. Favourite movie? That’s tough. I’m going to say Four Brothers. I’m a big fan of Mark Wahlberg and Andre 3000, so I’ll go with that.”

Twitter: @markhdaniell

MDaniell@postmedia.com