This wasn't the year the Blue Jays were expected to win the division or compete for the wild card and so they haven't under or over achieved any this point, but they have been exciting to follow.
If they could pull off something nearly amazing - nine straight wins during a run that includes three games each with the Yankees, Rays and Red Sox then they can be considered legit contenders.
There is no team in the majors good enough to do that so if Toronto falls short of that goal, there isn't any need to panic.
This is their first major test of the second half of the schedule and with the Jays sitting 12.5 games back of the division lead it is already too much to over come. Possibly if they were in second and 12.5 games back they would have a chance with one team blowing up while they went on a run, but with three experienced teams to chase, it is like a gazelle chasing a lion, cheetah and leopard, I don't like the gazelle's odds of coming out on top in and if they do, Toronto wouldn't know what to do when they did get to the top this late in the a season.
On the plus side Bautista is still hitting bombs and leading the league in home runs. The young pitching staff still competes hoping their time will come to be one of the best staff in the American League if they can all stick around in TorontoTravis Snider is back up with the big club. Finally, Yunel Escobar is a new fan favourite similar to the likes of O-Dog when was in Toronto.
The Jays may make their annual late charge when they have nothing to lose and guys are playing for roster spots and off-season contracts, but as of right now they have nothing to lose. Why not start that charge six months earlier and turn some heads in the process while earning 85 wins. Because of how good the AL East is, 85 wins may still put them in fourth place and 10 games out of the division lead, but the Blue Jays need to start somewhere. The Jays have had 75, 86, 83, 87 and 80 wins in the past five seasons and haven't been considered a threat to make the playoffs when all was said and done. It doesn't look like more teams will be making the playoffs or the divisions will be changed any time soon so they will have to do it the old fashioned way - win.
