There has been a certain comfort to being in first place for the Blue Jays, a welcome feeling that rarely has seemed more important for the team.

The Jays have been atop the American League East for almost 100 consecutive days now and remaining there arguably is the most critical task of the season to date — for a number of competitive reasons.

Doing so also would finish off an incredible turnaround, the first time in franchise history that the Jays would go from last place to first from one season to the next. And with it would come a host of competitive advantages.

After an off-day on Monday to rest (from a 13-games-in-13-days grind) and recuperate (from Sunday’s playoff-clinching celebrations in Kansas City) the team enters what has to be seen as the most significant homestand of th

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