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Toronto Blue Jays: Outlook approaching the halfway mark

By Graham Orr

Jun 21, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Darwin Barney (18) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 21, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Darwin Barney (18) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Approaching the halfway mark of the MLB season, how are the Toronto Blue Jays positioned for a playoff push in the AL East? 

The Toronto Blue Jays have had a difficult start to the season. Between an injury list that is as long as some novels, and an inexplicable inability to get back to .500 (0-7 in those games), it would be fair to say that the season could be going better for Jays fans.

However, in spite of the less than amazing 35-36 start to the season, it is important to remember the season is still young. The Blue Jays are not in nearly as big a hole as it sometimes feels like.

The Blue Jays are only two games out of a Wild Card spot as of Thursday morning, trailing both the Minnesota Twins and the Tampa Bay Rays by that margin. However, unlike the National League, where the second Wild Card has an 8.5 game lead on their closest challenger, the AL is still wide open.

The Oakland A’s, currently in last place in the AL, sit only 6.5 games out of the second Wild Card spot. What this means for the Jays is that every single game within the AL (all but six of the remaining 93) are important. Each game is not only a win for Toronto, but a loss to a team that is within the playoff race themselves.

AL East

The level of competition within the AL East is also, unsurprisingly, quite intense. The Blue Jays currently sit tied for last in the AL East, five games behind the division leading New York Yankees, indicating that the entire division is within five games of each other.

Although this hole is clearly not ideal, the Blue Jays will have ample opportunities to make up ground. Of the 93 remaining games this season, Toronto has 45 left against AL East teams:

  • Boston Red Sox – 16 games
  • New York Yankees – 12 games
  • Baltimore Orioles – 10 games
  • Tampa Bay Rays – 7 games

Seeing as the AL East makes up approximately 50 percent of the Blue Jays’ remaining games, their performance against these teams will be critical to their playoff chances.

Blue Jays Outlook

In looking at the tight American League, and especially the tight and tough AL East, it is fair to ask if the Blue Jays can make the playoffs again this year? The short answer is yes, but it could and should be tough.

The Blue Jays are trending in the right direction, with above .500 records in the last 30, 20 and 10 games. Aaron Sanchez should return soon and, if he is close to his level of play from last year, can provide a big boost to this team.

Additionally, the team could look to make moves at the deadline to shore up the lack of production from left field and to address the weak advanced fielding numbers for the team (28th in BIS Defensive Runs Saved).

Next: Aaron Sanchez on the comeback trail yet again

The American League and specifically the AL East are especially tight this year, and the Blue Jays still face some significant injury issues. The road to the playoffs will not be an easy one, but the Blue Jays are in a position in which they can succeed, and the remainder of this season will be exciting (and stressful) for us to watch.

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