What a weekend for the Toronto Blue Jays. They squeaked out a thrilling 2-1 decision on two Tampa Bay Rays errors in Friday’s matchup, hit the lights out with 8 home runs for a 17-11 victory on Saturday afternoon, and then watched Brandon Morrow come within one out of a no-hitter in Sunday’s series finale 1-0 victory. And now, Jays fans are abuzz with delight, wonder, and once again, expectations.
August was set to be a huge month for the Jays, as they face off against the top teams in their division in the Rays, Yankees and Red Sox. They took the series against the Yankees, and now have swept the Rays to pull within 8 games of the wildcard, 10 games back of the first place Yankees. With such an impressive showing against the league’s top two teams, it seems only natural that the fans now suddenly expect the Jays to contend. They have the day off today before hosting the Red Sox in a three game set. The Yankees visit the Texas Rangers and the Rays head in to motown to play the Tigers.
While it’s not impossible for the Jays to conceivably grab that wildcard spot, they’re going to have to be near flawless in the coming weeks while hoping their opponents on top falter and slow up just a bit. I don’t think we need to be getting our hopes up though, as I’m sure the team will exercise control and maybe shut down a few of their arms as the season goes on. Brandon Morrow threw 137 pitches on Sunday, earning him 17 K’s, which is a career high and one short of tying the Jays’ franchise record set by Roger Clemens in 1998. He has absolutely earned some rest, and it will give the Jays an opportunity to test out a few more pitchers. Rzcepczynski, Mills, perhaps even Drabek could come up to make a spot start.
The Jays have far exceeded our expectations this year, and with promising young players like Arencibia, Cecil, Morrow, Snider, Escobar and Romero coming along nicely, it may be better for the team to continue to stick to the plan and try to compete in the 2011 and 2012 seasons. With possible additions like Stewart and Drabek for next season, with Gose and hopefully McGuire or Johnson on the way for 2012, the Jays suddenly have a wealth of young talent they can possibly use to fill holes in their lineup.
And where do they have holes exactly? The most notable weakness on the club is in the bullpen, as only Downs and Camp have posted reliable numbers this season. They lack speed on the basepaths and struggle with on-base percentage. Starting next season they will have a need at first base, and if they don’t slot a player like Adam Lind in there, the free agent market looks like a good option with players like Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko, Carlos Pena and Derrek Lee becoming unrestricted free agents in this upcoming offseason.
Jays fans will definitely have to have a little faith in GM Alex Anthopolous as he continues re-tooling this club into a winner, but if what we’ve seen so far is any indication of what this team will look like in a few seasons, he is absolutely on the right path. Until then, let’s enjoy the ride, and make things interesting again in what is undoubtedly the best division in baseball.
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Born and raised in Northern Ontario but currently living in Toronto, Tyler wouldn't have it any other way. Home to his two favourite sports teams, Tyler revels in the day to day sports experience that is Toronto. 
That was a harsh series to watch. Weren’t we doing well this year? What the heck happened?!
And to think, most writers were picking the Jays for last.
Ya no kidding. I even read one review at the beginning of the year that said the Orioles should get fourth due to them having youthful talent coming up. Think that guy got Toronto and Baltimore mixed up.
Ugh dont’ remind me. It’s like 1988 all over again.
And right after we sweep the Devil Rays (because dropping the Devil part is just lame), we almost get swept by the Red Sox. It’s like we cant’ decide whether to content or rebuild, the only thing we do consistently is finish in 3rd (or lately, 4th).
Thank goodness for Baltimore.
I hear ya Sam. At least we have some decent youngster coming up the ranks, instead of importing overpaid tired hacks like Lyle Overbay, Raul Mondesi (we traded Shawn Green for this turd?!), and Victor Zabramo among others