Sunday Bantering: Blue Jays have a 4.5 game lead after 142 games

Biggest Lead

The Toronto Blue Jays are 82-60 (.577) and have a 4.5-game lead in the American League East over the New York Yankees, which is the largest divisional lead the Blue Jays franchise has ever had after 142 games. Toronto has led the division six times after 142 games but the most they have been up at this point in the season was 3.5 games.

Clinching Winning Season

With their 82nd victory, Toronto has clinched a winning season on September 12, after 142 games. In the 21 season the Blue Jays have finished with a winning record, this is the earliest point in the season when Toronto have ensured an above-.500 finish since 1992 when they won their 82nd game in game #141 on September 11. Toronto did not win their 82nd game until September 26 last year in game #160.

Since the All-Star Break the Blue Jays are 37-14 (.725), which is the best record in the majors as well as the highest "second-half" winning rate in franchise history.

Sweeping Doubleheaders

The Blue Jays have played 103 traditional doubleheaders in franchise history and now have a 21-39-43 (win-lose-split) record. This was just the second time the Blue Jays have swept the Yankees in a doubleheader, whereas New York has swept Toronto five times. The Yankees have been swept just three times in their last 54 doubleheaders.

Consecutive Games On Base

Last night, Edwin Encarnacion aggravated his left middle finger, the same one that he injured back in July, but before he was pulled from the game he extended his on-base streak to 42 games with a hit-by-pitch against Ivan Nova. Prior to this season the record was held by Carlos Delgado, who recorded a 38-game streak in 1998. Jose Bautista had a 37-game on-base streak in 2014.

Sources: 2015 Blue Jays Official Guide, Baseball-Reference.com, MLB.com