Scott Carson

Stats man Scott Carson is now in his 18th season as "third man in the booth" during Blue Jays telecasts.

Lyle Overbay arrived on the scene in late May after a horrible start to the new season.

An explanation of the Jays hot start to the season can be found on the team's stat page.

I don't make up the numbers, I just report them.

As the calendar flips over into the third month of the 2010, even those of you who take some kind of perverse pleasure bashing the Blue Jays cannot deny that the team is playing some of the best ball seen in these parts in many moons. The 3-2, hand-wringing win over the first place Tampa Bay Rays in the first of a stretch of games leading right to the all-star that will provide a solid test had all the elements as to why this team currently sits nine games clear of .500 after 53 games: Strong starting pitching, airtight defence and the league's top power production.

The month of May was one of the best in franchise history. As a team, its 19-10 record was the standard in the American League, and third best in the majors behind the Dodgers and Reds; both of whom rattled off 20 wins. But individually, a trio of Jays put up some numbers that should see them considered for monthly awards.

** Jose Bautista led the majors with 12 home runs while driving in 25 and scoring 25 runs. In fact, since September 1 of 2009, his 26 home runs are five more than any other MLB hitter.

** Shaun Marcum went 5-0 with a 1.85 ERA, numbers almost identical to Boston's Jon Lester, who will likely win pitcher of the month because he pitches for the Red Sox.

** Fred Lewis led the team with 38 hits in May and his 15 doubles were the most in the majors.

Other Jays also put up numbers worth noting:

** Aaron Hill, despite hitting just .174 for the month, rediscovered his power stroke and slammed seven home runs.

** Another slumping hitter, Lyle Overbay, came alive in the second half of May, slamming five home runs and 13 RBI in his last 17 games.

** The catching tandem of John Buck and Jose Molina combined to hit .314 with 15 RBI while throwing out 5 of 11 would-be base stealers and coaxing the young pitching staff to a 3.96 ERA.

** Sophomore left-handed starters Ricky Romero and Brett Cecil combined to go 7-2 on the month while striking just under a batter per inning.

So as you can plainly see, the Blue Jays have a lot to crow about heading into June. With the schedule getting decidedly tougher between now and the break, they are better prepared should the home runs dry up, which is likely to happen. With 89 home runs through the first 53 games - 20 more than the next closest team - that puts the team on a pace to hit 272 for the season. That would eclipse the major league record of 264 set by the 1997 Seattle Mariners and obliterate the club mark of 244 set by the 2000 edition.

While most are expecting the team to cool off at some point, maybe it's possible that it won't happen. Eight of their hitters have seven-plus home runs this year which projects out to all eight hitting 20-plus for the season, which would make these the franchise's all-time bomb squad.

Everyone was expecting this team to finish in the basement of the A.L. East coming into this season, based upon trading Roy Halladay to the Phillies, and not knowing where they were going to find enough offence to compete. Both of those questions have been answered over the first two months. So why not sit back and enjoy the ride. Funny how good it feels when you get something when you were expecting nothing.

You might even want to come down to the Rogers Centre and check it out in person. There are plenty of seats available.