The Toronto Blue Jays have been winning vs. the MLB odds with power.The Blue Jays are simply crushing the ball as they lead the league in home runs. Toronto was not expected to be a factor in baseball odds in the American League East this season but thanks to their big bats they are in the race.
MLB odds indicated that the Blue Jays went 19-10 in the month of May. Home runs were a big reason why the Blue Jays had success. Jose Bautista was leading the league in home runs while Vernon Wells was not far behind. The Blue Jays have some hitters who can definitely hit the long ball. Last year Adam Lind and Aaron Hill had 35 and 36 home runs respectively.
The Blue Jays were thought to have very little pitching since they traded Roy Halladay to the Phillies but that is not the case. Toronto has a number of pitchers who are having good years. Shaun Marcum has been excellent with an ERA below three. Rickey Romero has two complete games this season and he has excellent stuff. Brett Cecil looks like he will be a fixture in the rotation and Brandon Morrow has even had his moments. Not to be left out of the equation is Kyle Drabek who the Blue Jays got in the Halladay trade from the Phillies. He is expected to be in this rotation before long. The Blue Jays have survived in the bullpen but it could be a weakness before the year is up. Kevin Gregg is an up and down closer. He does not have overpowering stuff. He didn’t do a very good job in Chicago but he has somehow survived so far with the Blue Jays. He blew a game on Tuesday night against Tampa Bay and it is games like that one that Toronto simply can’t afford to lose if they want to stay in the American League Central race this season.
The Blue Jays have a winning record on the road this season and that is the sign of a team that can be a factor in the playoff race. Toronto also has a winning home mark. The Blue Jays have a very important weekend series against the Yankees and they really need to prove they are capable of beating New York.