What a week it’s been for JoBau

42nd home run of the season, 100th homer run of his career, a triple and a steal … all in a week’s work for AL MVP candidate Jose Bautista.

Bautista has had an excellent week at the dish heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Detroit Tigers and Rick Porcello’s 5.43 ERA. Mr. B’s turned in a .480 average this week with 4 homers, 7 RBI, 29 total bases. Jose’s has even flashed his speed picking up his sixth stolen base and third triple. A fine week indeed.

Toronto Blue Jays' Jose Bautista hits a solo home run during fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Toronto Friday, Aug. 27, 2010. Bautista's home run was his league-leading 42nd of the season. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)

One of those homers was a big one for Bautista’s career. His 41st homer of the 2010 season was the 100th of his career. Ever the team player, Bautista said “I’m not going to go too crazy about 100. The season’s not over yet and we have a lot of work to do. We’re supposed to score more than one run any ways but we didn’t tonight,” after the Jays 7-1 loss to the Tigers on Thursday. Congratulations to Jose on reaching 100.

Gotta love the contract years
Rotoworld reports that Bautista and Jays haven’t been in contract negotiations as of yet.
“The Blue Jays and Jose Bautista haven’t begun negotiations on a long-term contract yet, according to FOX Sports’ Jon Paul Morosi.
The two camps might seek an extension for the slugger over the offseason. At this point we have to believe that Bautista’s power surge is at least somewhat for real, but you couldn’t blame the Jays if they were hesitant to give the league’s home run leader big dollars given his prior history. Bautista is under team control for one more season, so Toronto has time to make a decision. Source: Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter.”

Get a deal done Jays, lock up the slugger!

Quasi-fearless prediction: Porcello serves up No. 43 today and it turns out to be a solo shot to left field. The homer will also be Jose Bautista’s 100th RBI of the 2010 season.

P.S.
The beard really seems to be making a comeback for JoBau. Not saying it has anything to do with the great week, but it might.