Post by dougiejays on May 1, 2020 12:04:44 GMT -5
After running away with the AL East last year, Toronto was expected by most pundits to take down the division again this season. Despite not making a single move in the offseason, with a couple of major contributors returning from injury, the thinking was that in 1991 Toronto could finally see a fully realized version of a team that has contended for championships the last two years.
The vaunted offence, first in the league last season before disappointing in the ALCS, once again leads the league. Their recipe for success is quite simple: by leading the league in walks by a considerable margin and posting a respectable BA, Toronto has the highest OBP in the majors. Factor in a rank near the top in homers and smatter in a decent number of stolen bases for good measure, and you have an elite offensive team.
The pitching has also been terrific, as Toronto has only allowed 5 homers on the year en route to posting the third-best ERA in the majors so far. If the Jays have an Achilles’ heel, it appears to be unearned runs – 12 unearned runs surrendered this year, compared to 37 earned runs, for a 3.24 RA compared to a 2.45 ERA. Both numbers are still fantastic, but the unearned runs do cost.
The early standout has been Ron Gant, leading the league in homers and ranking in the top ten in steals, OPS, and many other categories. Matt Winters, who missed the second half of last season after an MVP-calibre first half, was off to a hot start before being once again felled by injury.
Scouts across the game have expressed concern about the age of some of Toronto’s hitters, particularly 37-year-olds Keith Hernandez and Gary Carter, though it’s worth considering that the depth of Toronto’s offence can probably absorb some measure of decline from the two veterans. One key story this season will be seeing if Hernandez can stay near the top of the lineup long enough to collect his 3000th hit. He will need to finish with 180 hits to accomplish the feat, which translates to a .300 BA over 600 ABs.
Toronto’s 11-4 start has been matched early on by Cleveland, which also has many of the concerns in terms of player decline. The Indians just barely missed the playoffs last season, and after adding some reinforcements figure to be Toronto’s only competition in the East – most prognosticators expect Boston, New York and Baltimore to be also-rans. Early on, the Indians have showcased an elite starting staff and a very good offence that lags behind Toronto’s but still ranks near the top of the league. As their veterans also enter their decline phase, it will be interesting to see if they can maintain this level and make the AL East a two-team race.
Quick hits:
Of last year’s other playoff contenders, Seattle has gotten off to a quick 11-4 start as well, while the White Sox are tied for first in the central with Milwaukee at a record of 9-6. California has to rank as the early disappointment with a 7-8 mark, as their offence has struggled early on.
