Fansided

MLB playoffs 2016: 3 reasons the Blue Jays make it

By Joshua Sadlock

Aug 31, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista (19) high fives teammates after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista (19) high fives teammates after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Sep 19, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Edwin Encarnacion is rolling

The Blue Jays battered the rest of the league last season but have taken a step back this season. Make no mistakes, this team still has one of the most powerful lineups in the league, but contact has been a bit harder to come by this year. Big injuries to Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson have held the offense back at times, while Troy Tulowitzki and Russell Martin have not lived up to past seasons.

One Jay who has been good the entire season is Edwin Encarnacion, and the DH/1B has been raking over the past seven days. The free-agent-to-be has slugged three home runs and slugged .667.

As a whole, the Blue Jays have struggled on offense in September, posting their lowest OPS of the season at .702, which is down nearly 70 points from August. When the Blue Jays win, they typically win big, slashing .291/.367/.524. When they lose, the bats have been incredibly cold, to the tune of a .197/.281/.315 line. It truly has been feast or famine this year, and it all stems from the middle of the order for Toronto. There are several spots in the lineup that can be handled easily, especially the bottom. If Encarnacion is slugging out of the heart of the order, it will create opportunities for Martin and Tulowitzki, two of the most disappointing Jays this season.

Home/Toronto Blue Jays