MLB Odds: Blue Jays still favoured to win AL East despite struggling bullpen

Games and series’ only get more important as the calendar flips to September and teams jockey for positioning in the standings.

At the start of the year, Toronto was likely just hoping they would play meaningful baseball in September and have a shot at the playoffs. Well, the team delivered and not only are they a virtual lock for October baseball, they’re the favourites to win the AL East.

Even with all of the team’s success this year, the bullpen continues to struggle and it could be a major story come playoff time.

Let’s dig into the Jays’ AL East odds and bullpen struggles.

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Blue Jays bullpen

Toronto leads the AL East with a 79-59 record, 2.5 games ahead of the Yankees and Red Sox.

However, the bullpen continues to be a major concern. Toronto’s bullpen is averaging 5.65 walks per nine innings over the last month, while sporting an ugly 4.12 ERA for the season.

Closer Jeff Hoffman is taking a lot of the heat, particularly after blowing back-to-back saves while allowing four home runs over his last 3.1 innings pitched. Hoffman’s seven blown saves this season is tied for the fourth-most in the majors.

Despite those numbers, the Blue Jays are-165 favourites to win the AL East, followed by the Yankees (+260) and Red Sox (+400).

Toronto has one more series against each team, in the Bronx this weekend and at home against Boston Sept. 23-25.