Blue Jays AL East Recap: Jays Fight to Stay in the Mix

Each 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

Baltimore Orioles: 47-34
Boston Red Sox: 44-37
Toronto Blue Jays: 45-39
New York Yankees: 40-41
Tampa Bay Rays: 33-48

It was a gruelling seven days for the Blue Jays. Despite the difficult series against the Cleveland Indians, the Jays managed to put together a decent week overall.

Before splitting the series with the Indians, they took the series from the Rockies, giving them a winning week as a whole. The Blue Jays had to fight every step of the way and many questions linger for them as we approach the All-Star Break. How long will utility SS Ryan Goins be out? Will Marco Estrada need to miss significant time? Who takes over for him if he’s out? These are all the questions the Blue Jays answer in the near future.

These challenges, including the 19-inning loss on Friday, do not outweigh the positives the Jays saw this week. Troy Tulowitzki and Russell Martin have been an offensive revelation as of late, clearly turning the corner on whatever ailed them at the beginning of the season.

Seven members of the bullpen preserved a tie over the course of 10.1 innings, a feat which seemed impossible just a month ago. The Blue Jays also got a break in the standings as division foes faced some poor weeks, allowing the Blue Jays to enter play Monday just 3.5 games behind first.

Final Takeaway:

The week was rough around the edges, but helped push the Jays closer to the top of the division. They will push for continued success, despite many uncertainties, as they march towards the All-Star Break.

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