Smoak, Saunders thriving in middle of order

MINNEAPOLIS — With Jose Bautista getting a lion’s share of the attention in regard to the Blue Jays’ recent lineup shakeup, more responsibility has been heaped on new middle-of-the-order bats Michael Saunders and Justin Smoak.

Saunders and Smoak spent most of the first month hitting sixth and seventh, respectively, with Smoak more recently moving to the five-spot.

With middle-of-the-lineup staples Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion moving up, that has opened run-producing spots behind them that Smoak and Saunders have been charged with filling.

So far, so good.

Smoak, who hit cleanup the past three games, had at least a hit in each game and reached base at a .357 clip in those games.

Run-producing opportunities would likely be plentiful if not for Bautista, Josh Donaldson and Encarnacion clearing the bases through the first two games of the series.

“There’s something to be said for playing every day, when you know you’re playing every day,” said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons.

Gibbons said the opportunity to be a regular has helped Smoak settle in at the plate. Over six previous seasons, mostly in part-time roles with the Rangers, Mariners and Blue Jays, Smoak had never hit higher than .238.

Smoak began Saturday at .295 and his on-base percentage of .412 was 100 points higher than his career mark.

“[Smoak] played good for us last year in a different role,” Gibbons said. “Now he’s getting his opportunity. He’s always been viewed in …

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