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5 postseason keys for the Toronto Blue Jays

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jul 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates scoring a run with catcher Russell Martin (55) during the eighth inning in a game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates scoring a run with catcher Russell Martin (55) during the eighth inning in a game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Brett Cecil (27) pitches during the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Toronto Blue Jays defeated Baltimore Orioles 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Brett Cecil (27) pitches during the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Toronto Blue Jays defeated Baltimore Orioles 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Get the bullpen back on track

Price wasn’t the only pitching upgrade for the Blue Jays at the trade deadline. Toronto also made an effort to shore up a thin bullpen, adding LaTroy Hawkins and Mark Lowe.

For a while, the moves worked well, as they allowed everyone else to slide into place. However, the Blue Jays bullpen has hit a bit of a rough patch in September, which needs to change quickly if Toronto is going to be successful in the postseason.

The most important member of Toronto’s bullpen that needs to get back on track is young closer Roberto Osuna. The 20-year-old fireballer looked completely dominant for much of the season, but has been a bit shaky in September with a 4.91 ERA.

It’s possible that Osuna is wearing down in his first Major League season after jumping straight from High-A. Now is not an opportune time for Toronto to have to make a change at closer, so the Blue Jays will have to hope Osuna can get back to his previous form.

If Osuna can lock down the back-end, the Blue Jays should have enough options in the middle innings to get through. Improbably, Brett Cecil has not allowed an earned run since June 21 after struggling mightily in the early part of the season, a streak Toronto needs to continue. Liam Hendricks, who has hit a wall in September after a strong season, will also be a key piece in getting the bullpen back to its previous form.

Next: Transition Marco Estrada successfully to a relief role

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