Everything is clicking for the Toronto Blue Jays at the moment after sweeping the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees in back-to-back series and allowing just one run in 28 innings in the Bronx.
“It’s the first time that [a championship] feels so attainable,” Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista told Dean Blundell & Co. on Sportsnet 590 The FAN Monday. “With all these new bodies coming in and being so talented and great quality people you can’t help but get excited.”
Winners of eight straight and 11 of their last 12, the Blue Jays sit 1.5 games back of the Yankees for the AL East lead and are the hottest team in the majors.
LISTEN: Jose Bautista talks Blue Jays on Dean Blundell & Co.
With 49 games remaining in the regular season, though, Bautista is staying grounded and knows there is plenty of work to do before any real celebrating can take place.
“You don’t want to get ahead of yourself and think you’ve accomplished anything just because you have new teammates,” Bautista said. “So we’re definitely not losing track of the big prize and how we’re going to get it, which is with hard work, dedication and execution when the games start and we’re focused on that.
“Even though it’s exciting times we don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves and talk too much about it. We’re going to let those wins speak for us.”
The 34-year-old slugger is in the midst of yet another productive campaign with 26 homers, 78 RBI and a slash line of .240/.361/.512. Bautista has been a major contributor on the team’s current win streak as well, hitting a grand slam against the Twins and two important solo homers against the Yankees.
Bautista said he’s as excited as he’s ever been to come to the ballpark and work.
“It’s a fun time to be a Blue Jays player, it’s a fun time to be on the Blue Jays staff and part of the organization, and I’m sure it’s even more fun to be a Blue Jays fan,” he said. “Sit back and enjoy the ride because we’re going to be putting every single ounce of effort and work that we can in order to get that trophy here.”
The Blue Jays open a home series against the Oakland Athletics Tuesday as Brett Lawrie returns to Toronto for the first time since the Josh Donaldson trade.
