Blue Jays and the AL East Recap: Week two

Week two of the regular season has wound down as the Blue Jays continued to figure out their AL East competeition

Every week Jays Journal will take a look at the bigger picture of the AL East to help frame not only where the Blue Jays are in the standings, but why they are there.

BAL  8-3
BOS  6-5
TOR  6-7
NYY  5-6
TB   5-7

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays were strictly a .500 team this week, winning the series against New York, and at best tying the Red Sox in Boston. The bullpen looked weak again, but the Jays offence was surprisingly the weak link this week. Kevin Pillar was removed from the leadoff job as his .231 average and his dismal strikeout-to-walk ratio wasn’t enough to cut it. However this is not his fault alone, the team as a whole has been striking out at a much greater rate than last year.

That is not to say there were not any positives. Josh Donaldson continues to rake and be the offensive force for the team, as Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion both seem to be in peak form at the onset of the season.

The Blue Jays got another strong start from both J.A. Happ and Aaron Sanchez, which should quell many questions about the validity of the back end of the rotation. The bullpen continued to struggle with both Brett Cecil and Drew Storen underperforming. Fortunately Roberto Osuna‘s hiccup didn’t cost the Jays another win on Sunday night.

Final Takeaway:

The Blue Jays will be looking to refine their offence and hopefully find more patience along the wat, but that seems like a problem that will be solved in a matter of time. The biggest spring question of the validity of the starting rotation, however, has been addressed in a positive manner.

Next: Rebounding Rays getting back on track?