The Toronto Blue Jays have found themselves half a game out of first place in the American League East thanks to a current nine game win streak. The Blue birds have managed to clinch 10 of their last 11 games, bringing them ever closer to their first playoff birth since 1993. Not to say that the Toronto Blue Jays haven’t remained competitive since that time, but being the longest reigning MLB team without a playoff birth (22 years) doesn’t necessarily help their resume.
Jays Turn Streaky Starts into Playoff Stepping Stones
It was after trade deadline week that the Jays really began to flourish, during which they acquired short stop Troy Tulowitzki from the Colorado Rockies and left handed starting pitcher David Price from the Detroit Tigers. Both Tulowitzki and Price have been labelled franchise players on their past teams, and are on a path to join the Blue Jays core roster (Bautista, Donaldson, Encarnacion, etc) if they choose to stay long term.
It’s no news to anyone that the players need to perform, but not all the credit goes to them as they collect win, after win. Jays General Manager, Alex Anthopoulos, was the brains behind the whole operation that has now given the Toronto Blue Jays a shot at the playoffs. Anthopoulos managed to pull the trigger multiple times, changing his ways after a dreadful trade deadline week last season. Jays fans and players were quick to voice their pleasure after an upgraded roster was revealed after the trade deadline, and rightfully so.
Canada’s only team, is beginning to turn over a new leaf, it seems, and their brutal sweeping of the New York Yankees this past week holds privy of that. This was the first time that the Blue Jays have been able to sweep the Yankees in the Bronx since 1998, with New York being held to a single run the entire series.
Last night the Jays kept their win streak alive as they defeated the Oakland Athletics 4-2, giving pitcher Drew Hutchison a record to smile about (11-2 this season). Even more notable, the Blue Jays’ record when Troy Tulowitzki starts reached 12-0 with the win last night. It’s safe to All parts of the Toronto Blue Jays organization are competing with guns blazing, hoping for a playoff birth and maybe even a ring.
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 09: Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Toronto Blue Jays fields a hit by Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees in the eighth inning on August 9, 2015 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
