I love sports. It doesn’t matter which sport it is, I will find something I like about it. Some I like to play and there are a few I like to watch. Although I love playing baseball, watching it can get tiresome for me. Being Canadian, I have always tried to follow what’s happening with the Jays, and the Expos while they were around.

In the last couple of years, I have been watching a lot closer as to what happens with our country’s only professional baseball team. There has always been something that has me thinking the Blue Jays are close to putting together another contender to make a playoff run and maybe even bring the World Series back to Canada.

With all the anticipation, I have always been left wondering why I even care. Like many other years, last year had potential, but didn’t pan out. It was actually quite disappointing. It was so disappointing that I didn’t even care what happened to the Jays. That was until Spring rolled around.

Most people have the ability to drop a team anytime they make it hard for a person to be a fan. I wouldn’t say I am a Jays “fan”, so if I drop them it’s no big deal. But unfortunately I don’t have the ability to let go of hope. Throw me the tiniest morsel of hope, and I start to care again! It’s really a problem, and I don’t know what to do about it.

The Blue Jays weren’t on my radar screen in April when Major League Baseball got into full swing. I was fine with that, and it didn’t bother me in the slightest to think the Jays were heading downhill again. I was at peace with my lack of desire to care about baseball.

There was only one problem. I am very much an “out of sight, out of mind” person. I watch Sportscenter daily, and I kept finding out about the wins that kept rolling in for Toronto. All it took was news that Toronto was in first and the hottest team in baseball, and the hope took over.

At this point most sports fans pull out their own safety mechanism called skepticism. As long as they don’t think it will last, hope can’t affect them in any way. After all, anything positive that happens is a bonus.

That skepticism is probably helping a lot of Blue Jays fans sleep during a season like the one we are in. Already 2009 has brought ups and downs and twists and turns that would make “The Viper” at Magic Mountain jealous. Strong winning streaks, and record breaking losing streaks. Surprising comebacks, and embarrassing leads squandered. The depth has been impressive, but in order to see that depth regularly, you need to have injuries. All of these things have almost made me wish I could protect myself with skepticism. Almost.

The Blue Jays have not been the picture of consistency, and with the latest players to be added to the 15 Day DL in Halladay and Downs, Toronto is going to need all of the help they can get. That being said, there are many reasons to believe the Jays have a shot at making the playoffs.

First is Roy Halladay. Halladay may be the only bonafide all star, but he has a big impact on the bull pen and every pitcher that graces the blue uniform. He may be on the 15 Day DL, but two weeks won’t be long, and he’ll be back to terrifying opposing batters. Don’t forget that Roy may also be headed elsewhere next year, so making the best of this situation before Halladay leaves has got to be a priority for everyone on that team.

Second is positioning. In the AL East, Boston and New York keep flip flopping in the first position, and wasting valuable points against each other. Even with their huge losing streak, and inconsistency, the Jays are only five games out of first. That gap is in no way insurmountable, especially if they can pull out some wins with many of their starters out.

Finally, the Jays have something no one else does, and that is Cito Gaston. Gaston knew what it took to make the Jays of the 90’s a winning team, and although this team may not be as talented, I think he’s got what it takes to get the most out of the young players on this team to keep the Jays rolling in the right direction.

Separately, each reason may not hold water. But, if you put all three together along with other reasons, I do believe this year’s Blue Jays have what it takes to make a late season push for the postseason in Major League Baseball.