5 Keys to a strong 2nd half for the Toronto Blue Jays

Jul 11, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Aaron Loup (62) throws a pitch during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

2.)    Find Some Consistency In The Bullpen

Last  season, the bullpen was among the best in baseball and was the single most stable piece of the Blue Jays “attack” in 2013. In 2014, the results have been nearly the opposite.

Entering play in the second half, the Blue Jays ranks 27^th in baseball in bullpen ERA (4.39), 26^th in walks, and only the Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies have blown more saves in 2014. That’s a stark contrast from last season, when the Jays relievers ranked 9^th in ERA and blew only 19 leads.

The return of Casey Janssen helped solve the issues the team was having at the end of games, but stalwarts Aaron Loup and Brett Cecil have struggled with consistency, and All-Star Steve Delabar has found himself back in the minors. And that says nothing of Sergio Santos.

If the Jays want to put on a sustainable run, the bullpen needs to plug its holes.