When I last left you, the Jays were in a tenuous first-place position. They’re operating on a payroll a shade above $80 million (U.S.) which is, oh, a cool $40 million less than Boston and a mere $120 million less than the Yanks. Nearly a quarter of that payroll is tied up in two players (Alex Rios and Vernon Wells) who are currently under-performing. They’re relying heavily on the production of youngsters like Adam Lind, Travis Snider, Ricky Romero, and Scott Richmond.

A week later, they’re still going strong with a larger lead in the division. How is this team doing it?

As I said before, this team is cranking out runs at a surprising rate. They lead the league in runs scored (cranking out over 6 runs per game) and are second in the league in run differential. And they’re doing it largely without the help of the usual suspects: Rios and Wells.

Combined, the two of them have hit a total of two home runs, which is one less than rookie Travis Snider has hit this year. They’ve combined for 11 RBI through 14 games and while Wells has a solid .293 average, Rios is scuffling at .207. That is not exactly what you want out of your 3-hole hitter.

On the brighter side, the middle infield has provided some unexpected pop. Marco Scutaro has already hit 4 HR (he had 7 all of last year) and knocked in 10 RBI. He is second in the AL in walks with 12 and first in the league with runs (15). Coupled with a .418 OBP and the Jays are getting excellent production out of the leadoff position.

And howsabout that Aaron Hill? .365/4/14 is a tremendous line for a guy who was knocked out of the league for a year by a concussion suffered at the hands of the mighty, burly David Eckstein. His production and Wells’ consistent BA makes Rios’ struggles all the more perplexing. One theory is that he and Wells are a little tired after participating in the WBC and following that up with an MLB schedule that did not include a single off day before yesterday. Let’s hope Monday provided some welcome rest for the heart of the lineup.

In a weird sort of quirk, the Jays have yet to face a single divisional opponent this year and won’t at all in the month of April. This week’s upcoming series:

Texas @ Toronto, Apr. 21-23. Halladay goes for his fourth win in as many tries tonight. I’m interested in tomorrow’s start by David Purcey, who has yet to record a single win and has looked awfully shaky in his last two starts. Going up against the likes of Josh Hamilton, Michael Young & Co. won’t ease his nerves at all, but at least the series is at home instead of that bandbox in Arlington.

Toronto @ Chicago White Sox, Apr. 24-26. Brian Tallet gets his second start filling in for the injured Jesse Litsch, followed by a Saturday evening start by everyone’s new favorite southpaw, Ricky Romero. Cap that series off with another appearance by Halladay and it’s not unfeasible to think the Jays will not relinquish their AL East podium this week.

How about that, Sox and Yanks fans? The hegemony of the Northeast Corridor is cracking yet again, and this time it’s at the hands of those cruel and calculating Canadians.