First-Half Record: 51-40
Run Differential: +75
numberFire Ranking: 7th

The Toronto Blue Jays' record in the first half really isn't bad, so why, then, would they wind up on a list of teams bound to improve? It turns out even a decent record can sell a team short.

Let's flash back to May 18th when the Blue Jays were in the midst of a five-game losing streak, their fourth losing streak of at least three games for the year. They were 19-23 and seven games out in the American League East. Since then, they are 33-17 and have cut that deficit to just two games. They have the best run differential in the division and the second best mark in the A.L., yet they are still third in the standings. Everything about this team says they should continue to destroy worlds.

The offense -- even without Jose Bautista -- is filthy, and most people know that. But their rotation is sneaky good, too. They have the second best starting SIERA in the A.L. over the past 30 days as both J.A. Happ and Marco Estrada have been striking dudes out left and right. Marcus Stroman has been straight nasty his past three starts. If their position in the standings can convince them to ride Aaron Sanchez and keep him in the rotation, we could be in for another second half filled with Canadian love.