The Toronto Blue Jays are 14-6 in their past 20 games and playing much better baseball than they did in the first couple of months of the season. They are currently 40-34 in third place in the AL East, just three games behind the New York Yankees.

Last week, I wrote about how the Jays have been much better offensively in their turnaround and that the depth players were leading the charge: Alejandro Kirk, Ernie Clement and Addison Barger in particular. Since then, stars Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have joined the surge. They have seven extra-base hits, scored six runs and driven in 11 between them.

The lack of offence over the first two months of the season made me believe the Jays had a very narrow path to make the playoffs. They weren’t scoring much, which meant that they had to score enough with the right timing to win on each given day. Now that the offence is rolling, they can win more types of games. They have an ability to outslug another team if that is what it takes. This has broadened my optimism on their playoff chances.

My experience is that even the biggest stars battle demons that make them question their ability. Bichette and Guerrero have both had ups and downs in their careers, which has challenged their confidence. But when they have come out of their occasional funks, they have been able to sustain success and carry the Jays. It looks and feels like they are on the verge of doing just that.

Bowden Francis Toronto Blue Jays

Now that the offence is starting to truly roll, it is time to be concerned about the pitching.

The Blue Jays are 10-7 in June, which is remarkable considering they have a 4.98 ERA (27th). That is only better than the Rockies, Athletics and Twins. Seven of the 10 wins this month have been........

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