Blue Jays' Jose Bautista: Sets tone with first-pitch homer

Bautista, who is batting leadoff for the Blue Jays these days, hit a leadoff home run Wednesday to help spark Toronto to a 5-3 win.

Analysis:

As strange as it is for a man hitting .230 and who once hit 54 home runs in a season to bat leadoff, the strategy worked for the Blue Jays on Wednesday, as Bautista ambushed Orioles' starter Yovani Gallardo on the first pitch of the game. Gallardo actually settled down to finish with a quality start, but the Blue Jays did pick up a big win. The strategy is not totally without reason, as Bautista has just 17 homers in 2016 and is reaching base at a solid .351 clip. Plus the Blue Jays are hitting more speedy, contact guys like Kevin Pillar and Devon Travis at the bottom of the order, putting them in front of Bautista as the lineup turns over.