Time to make some hay

Here’s a novelty for you: Meaningful games.

After what feels like a month of playing National League teams, the Jays have emerged, suddenly finding themselves in second place in the AL East (11 back of Boston, and a half game up on the Yanks). Moreover, the Jays are back in the Wild Card mix, sitting six games back of Cleveland in fifth place.

(It may be a bit of an overstatement to consider the Jays back in these races, but we’re fans. We’re willing to suspend our disbelief, if only to make our summer that much more satisfying.)

What this past weekend’s upswing means is that the next four series leading into the All-Star Break will be of considerable import for Toronto’s playoff hopes, as they'll play the four teams above them in the Wild Card standings.

The Jays take on Minnesota (38-35, 1.5 games up), Seattle (39-33, and three games up), Oakland (39-35, two games up) and the Tribe in the next two weeks, and with only two series per year against these opponents, the Jays will have to make up ground on these teams now, or rely on others to do their work for them.

It isn't quite "do or die", but it would be a hell of a time to go on a winning streak.