Blue Jays Surpassing Early Expectations

Wells has rebounded nicely this year. (Photo by Frank Gunn, CP)

Before the start of the 2010 MLB season, everyone was saying that this was going to be a "rebuilding year" for the Toronto Blue Jays, a nice way of saying that they were going to suck.

But, two months in, the Blue Birds have a 31-24 record and are in the hunt in the tough AL East.

Most importantly for the Jays, the bats have been working. They lead the majors with 91 home runs, 133 doubles and a .474 slugging percentage.

Vernon Wells, Alex Gonzalez and Fred Lewis have been key contributors to Toronto's offensive eruption, but the biggest story of the season so far has been the awakening of Jose Bautista.

After a quiet first year and a half with the Jays, Bautista started the 2010 season on a roll and has only gotten hotter. He hit 12 of his major-league-leading 16 home runs in May, nearly a quarter of the team's total of 54 during the month, as well as 12 doubles and two triples.

Another nice surprise to start off the season has been the success of the starting rotation. After the departure of lone-time ace Roy Halladay, the pitching leadership was up for grabs. Cue Shawn Marcum, fresh off a full year's rest, recovering from Tommy John surgery. He and two of his teammates, Brett Cecil and Ricky Romero, each have a 5-2 record and an ERA under 4. Newly-acquired starter Brandon Morrow's 4-4 record and 6.00 ERA don't reflect how well he's been throwing and the fifth rotation spot has had some solid fill-ins.

The pitchers have looked so good thanks in part to the consistent defence behind them. Lewis, Wells, Bautista and, the currently injured, Travis Snider have made some unbelieveable plays in the outfield and the middle infielders, Aaron Hill and Gonzalez have kept the double plays coming.

An area of concern for the Jays, especially recently, is the bullpen. It's always a toss-up as to what's going to happen as soon as the starter hands over the ball. Manager Cito Gaston has tried three different hurlers in the closer's spot with nothing to show for it. That is what the club's executive should be focused on fixing right now.

After a disappointing end to their series with the AL East leading Tampa Bay Rays, the Jays start a three-game, weekend series with the New York Yankees June 4.