Toronto Blue Jays: The Biggest Threat in the AL East
By Matt Weyrich
In a tight division with no clear favorite, the Toronto Blue Jays are capable of running away with the American League East if they can carry over their recent performance into the second half.
It’s Josh Donaldson’s world, we’re just living in it. The reigning AL MVP left the yard Sunday afternoon with his 23rd home run of the season en route to a 6-1 drubbing of the Tigers. Toronto, who has won eight of its last nine games, has watched the five and a half game lead the Orioles held over them on July 1 fall to just two heading into the All-Star break.
After an up-and-down first half, many questions were raised about the Blue Jays’ ability to compete. Can Troy Tulowitzki stay healthy enough to have a full, productive season? How worried should we be about the struggles of Marcus Stroman (7-4, 4.89 ERA)? Is the bullpen capable of posting scoreless frames ahead of closer Roberto Osuna? While these questions were not unwarranted, this is a team built for the postseason—and they’re just getting started.
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The Blue Jays’ starting lineup may not feature four All-Stars like the Red Sox or hit as many home runs as the O’s, but don’t be fooled, this is a dangerous lineup. Not only is Donaldson playing like an MVP once again this season, but his supporting cast hasn’t been too shabby. Michael Saunders is playing like an All-Star, leading the team with 25 doubles. Edwin Encarnacion is tied with Donaldson for the team lead in homers and has already racked up a major league-leading 80 RBIs on the year. Even Tulo, who has been held to a .239 batting average through his first 66 games played, has 23 extra-base hits.
You’re probably pretty familiar with what this offense is capable of, but it’s been the starting rotation that has been surprisingly effective throughout the first half. Marco Estrada (5-3, 2.93) and Aaron Sanchez (9-1, 2.97) each earned selections to the All-Star team, and J.A. Happ (12-3, 3.36) ranks second in the American League in wins. While Stroman has struggled, R.A. Dickey (7-9, 3.93) has been serviceable enough at the back-end of the rotation.
With the likes of Kevin Pillar patrolling center field and Donaldson over at the hot corner, this team already has a leg up on the rest of the league when it comes to defense. They currently rank third in the AL with 20 defensive runs saved according to the information available over at Fangraphs, 15 runs higher than any of their divisional opponents.
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The Red Sox may have all the All-Stars, but their bullpen has been a major issue and biggest flaw. Baltimore is racking up the home runs, but their pitching staff is letting their opponents do so as well. Toronto is the most well-rounded ball club in the AL East. While they may not be in first place just yet, it is certainly their division to lose. If they can carry their momentum into the second half, the American League East could quickly become a laugher of a divisional race.