The Toronto Blue Jays are the proud owners of the third-best record in baseball and have been red-hot of late. If they keep up this unbelievable play, the Jays could be giving the Raptors a run for their money as the best Toronto pro-sports team this year. The roster appears to be delivering on last year’s promises. Let’s take a look at what’s got the Jays on a tear.
Pitching is Clicking
The starting rotation has been pulling their weight, contributing at least five innings of real baseball before turning things over to the already-sturdy bullpen. Workhorse starter Mark Buerhle is having a career year, with 10 wins so far. Rumour has it Buerhle is slated to be the starter for the American League All-Star team. Drew Hutchison has also been a consistently good starter for the Jays (4-3, 3.50 ERA).
The bullpen has been rock-solid for the most part, with core lefties Brett Cecil and Aaron Loup leading the way. Dustin McGowan’s recent migration to the bullpen has been a huge success. Closer Casey Janssen has been sensational with an eye-popping 0.00 ERA and a perfect 11 of 11 in saves to attempts.
Sweeping up in the Field
While there’s no question that pitching has been good this season, sometimes help in the field is what the team needs to win. Jays fielders have answered the call this season, led by right fielder Jose Bautista and super-athlete third-baseman-turned-second-baseman Brett Lawrie. In Friday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Bautista made a phenomenal play to the plate, a wicked throw right on the money to erase a potential tying run in a tight 2-1 game. Brett Lawrie continues to daze and amaze with his infield play, moving over to second base from his usual place at third for a one-two punch with shortstop Jose Reyes through the middle of the infield. Better hit the ball well away from these two guys to avoid a double play.
Hitting up the Opposition
This is one lineup you’d never want to face on paper. Jose Reyes, Melky Cabrera, Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Adam Lind, Brett Lawrie… it’s down to the 7th hitter before it’s worth intentionally walking a player. The Jays have been the kings of the long ball with Edwin Encarnacion leading the way with 16 homers in May. Bautista has also been in fine form with 15 dingers going the distance. Lind has been hitting .412 in his past 10 games. Need I go on? These are very hungry hitters indeed; that have banged up and chased away opposing pitching throughout the month of May.
They will need to stay red-hot to keep the ball rolling through the rest of the season, particularly in the always-tight American League East. If the Jays can make May last the rest of the season, we’ll have a very exciting baseball season on our hands.
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