It took almost three months but the Blue Jays are finally living up to preseason expectations.
After a brutal start, which saw Toronto at 10-21 at its low point, they have reeled off 11 straight wins, which has included sweeps over the Rangers, Rockies and Orioles. During seven of those games, they have allowed two runs or fewer, something that was expected after acquiring Josh Johnson from the Marlins and last year’s NL Cy Young award winner R.A. Dickey from the Mets. Both got off to slow starts and former Mets shortstop Jose Reyes injured his ankle in April, but could return this week.
While most have noticed what Miguel Cabrera and Chris Davis are doing, no one is talking about Edwin Encarnacion. The first baseman’s 21 home runs rank second in the American League and his 63 RBIs rank third. He also ranks in the top ten in runs and slugging percentage.
All of this adds up to a 38-36 record for the Jays who are climbing up the AL East standings. They went from 12 games back of are five games behind the first place Red Sox and
The Blue Jays haven’t been to the postseason since 1993 – the last time they won the World Series. The 19-year drought is the third longest in the majors trailing only the Pirates (20) and Royals (27).
Games through June 24
1) Pirates (46-30) (6)
Despite making three errors and trailing 6-3 in the ninth inning Sunday, the Pirates scored three to tie it before four in the 10th inning to beat the Angels, and are a game back of the first place Cardinals in the NL Central.
2) Cardinals (47-29) (1)
Still in first place in the NL Central even after a sweep at the hands of the Rangers, which sent the Cardinals on their second three-game losing streak of the year.
3) Tigers (42-32) (8)
Miguel Cabrera is hitting .370 three months into the season. That’s barely human.
4) Reds (45-32) (4)
Split a four-game series with the Pirates then lost two of three to the Diamondbacks. Despite being in third place in their division, they hold a six-game lead for the second wild-card spot.
5) Red Sox (45-33) (3)
Disappointing weekend for the Red Sox, dropping three of four to the Tigers, but they still maintain a two-game lead over the Orioles in the AL East, although the last place Rays are only five out.
6) Athletics (44-34) (2)
After going eight series in a row without a loss, the Athletics have now lost their past three and lost their division lead in the AL West to the Rangers.
7) Braves (44-33) (5)
Lost three of five to the Mets and were shutout twice by the Brewers. But playing in the weak NL East means they still have a six-game division lead.
8) Yankees (41-34) (9)
He’s no Yasiel Piug, but rookie Zoilo Almonte had a debut week to remember with a home run, four RBIs and a .583 batting average.
9) Rangers (44-32) (12)
Took three of four from the Athletics before sweeping the Cardinals to regain first place in the AL West.
10) Orioles (42-34) (7)
The Orioles were riding high before running into the scorching Blue Jays, who swept them this weekend. They allowed 24 runs over the three games in the process.
11) Blue Jays (38-36) (22)
Johnson earned his first win of the season on Sunday against the Orioles.
12) Diamondbacks (41-34) (13)
Paul Goldschmidt is batting .306 with 19 home runs and 65 RBIs and is a shoe in for a trip to Citi Field next month for the All-Star game.
13) Rays (39-37) (10)
Sign they play in the toughest division in baseball? The Rays are in last place but only five games out of first, as every team in the AL East is above .500.
14) Padres (38-38) (14)
At 38-38, the Padres are still hanging around in the NL West, three games back of the Diamondbacks.
15) Rockies (39-38) (11)
The Rockies, who won back-to-back games this weekend, haven’t won three in a row since May 21-24.
16) Indians (38-36) (18)
No one’s talking about Justin Masterson, but he is 9-5 and ranks in the top five in almost every pitching category.
17) Nationals (37-38) (17)
Stephen Strasburg looked like his old self with nine strikeouts in a 2-1 victory over the Rockies in seven innings of work.
18) Giants (38-37) (16)
Scoring eight runs against the lowly Marlins while dropping three of four at home isn’t exactly the weekend series the Giants had hoped for.
19) Twins (34-38) (19)
Minnesota took four of six from their division rivals (White Sox, Indians) last week, which is something they need to continue to do in order to make a playoff run.
20) Royals (35-38) (15)
They certainly didn’t do themselves any favors losing four in a row to the Indians and White Sox.
21) Phillies (36-40) (21)
Tough week for Jonathan Papelbon, who blew three saves in four games. He has allowed six hits and four runs in his past four innings.
22) Mariners (34-43) (20)
Michael Morse (11 home runs, 23 RBIs) landed on the DL and Kendrys Morales has a bad back. That’s not good news for a team that doesn’t score enough runs as is.
23) Mets (30-42) (27)
Good week for the Mets, who went 5-3 against the Braves and Phillies. It would have been 7-1, as two of the losses were in walkoff fashion. Matt Harvey also picked up two wins.
24) Brewers (31-43) (30)
Frrancisco Rodriguez has been lights out, allowing one run in 16 appearances, and notched his 300th career save on Saturday in a 2-0 win over the Braves.
25) Dodgers (32-42) (26)
Puig mania may have died down, but the Dodgers still found a way to win three games last week, mainly with good pitching. They allowed two runs in the three victories.
26) White Sox (31-42) (23)
The good news is the Northsiders have a half game lead on the rival Cubbies (31-43).
27) Cubs (31-43) (24)
Sixteen hits and 14 runs was a nice surprise for the Cubs in Sunday’s win, although it was against the Astros.
28) Marlins (25-50) (29)
A winning road trip (4-3) for the first time all season for the Marlins, who own the worst record away from home in the league (12-27) is one positive in a dismal season.
29) Angels (33-43) (25)
At 10 games under .500, the Angels season has virtually flatlined after a sweep this weekend at the hands of the Pirates.
30) Astros (29-48) (28)
It was like old times for the Astros, who played their former NL Central opponents last week going 3-3 against the Brewers and Cubs.