Adam Lind Tearing Up the AL Since His Return to the Toronto Blue Jays

When Adam Lind was placed on the Toronto Blue Jays' DL with a sore back, it was at a very inopportune time. Lind had just started to get hot at the plate and was offering some much needed protection in the lineup for Jose Bautista who was routinely getting pitched around.

Once Lind was activated he wasted no time in getting back into his hot streak.

In his second game, he went four for four with two home runs. In the last two weeks Lind has hit .429 with a monstrous .976 slugging percentage, buoyed by his seven home runs in a mere 42 at-bats. He has also scored 11 times, with 15 RBI and seven walks.

Lind is now in the same situation that Bautista was earlier in the year, leading an offence that isn't always consistent but is still one of the best in the American League. The Blue Jays are third in the AL in runs scored, RBI and home runs, trailing only Boston and New York. They are also tied for fourth in stolen bases with the New York Yankees.

While Lind has been one of the hottest hitters in the league, current All-Star vote leader Bautista has been struggling as of late. In the same two week span, he is hitting only .214 with one home run. Bautista is still finding ways to contribute though, with 15 walks and nine runs scored.  

The Blue Jays will need both of their star hitters to be in the groove these next two weeks, as they are embarking on a three series road trip of Interleague Play. The Jays will start off in Cincinnati against the Reds, move to Atlanta to take on the Braves and then finish off against the St. Louis Cardinals.  

They have a make-up game against Detroit and then come home for a three game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Blue Jays have traditionally struggled in inter-league play, so they will not only need Lind and Bautista to be hot at the plate, but they will need their struggling starters to put in some more quality innings.  

Ricky Romero has been the only consistent starter for the Blue Jays so far this season, they will need improved performances from Brandon Morrow and strong efforts from Jo-Jo Reyes and Carlos Villanueva. 

Zach Stewart pitched well in his debut after getting called up from New Hampshire, only allowing two runs in seven innings, but the Blue Jays ended up with the loss. Stewart was called up to replace struggling starter Kyle Drabek, who was sent down to Las Vegas to work on his control and confidence.