Yankees Entering Must-Win Series Against Division Leading Blue Jays

Newsweek

21-07-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
An American League East showdown is on the horizon.
The first place Toronto Blue Jays will welcome in the second place New York Yankees in a three-game series spanning from Monday-Wednesday.
For the Blue Jays, it's a chance to widen what was a three-game division lead entering Monday and for the Yankees, it's a chance to regain a division lead that was lost three weeks ago.
TORONTO, ON - JULY 3: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees celebrates his RBI double against the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning in their MLB game at Rogers Centre on...
TORONTO, ON - JULY 3: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees celebrates his RBI double against the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning in their MLB game at Rogers Centre on July 3, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. MoreNew York and Toronto matched up three short weeks ago in a four-game series and that one turned out phenomenal for the Blue Jays.
The Jays swept the Yankees in a home four-game series for the first time in franchise history and because of the sweep, skyrocketed into first place in the AL East.
Toronto's offense exploded in the series to the tune of 36 runs in 32 innings and that scorching hot offense has continued throughout the entire month.
On May 25, the Toronto Blue Jays lost 13-0, had a 25-27 record and were in fourth place in the American League East.
On July 3, the Blue Jays finished a four-game sweep of the Yankees to move to 49-38 and took over first place in the AL East.
Five weeks can change everything. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 4, 2025
Fast forward to Monday and the Yankees are 7-8 in July, compared to Toronto's 12-3 record in the month. It feels like New York needs the series win much more than Toronto does, and it will have two of its top three pitchers scheduled to pitch in the series.
Game One: Carlos Rodon (10-6, 3.08 ERA) vs. Kevin Gausman (6-7, 4.19 ERA)
Game Two: Cam Schlitter (1-0, 5.06 ERA) vs. Max Scherzer (1-0, 4.70 ERA)
Game Three: Max Fried (11-3, 2.43 ERA) vs. Chris Bassitt (10-4, 3.89 ERA)
Rodon, Fried, Scherzer, Gausman and Bassitt all pitched in the previous series, so each team will still have a bit of recollection of how they were attacked by each of those pitchers.
The three-game series between the top two teams in the AL East will have the eyes of the baseball world on it and it could be a turning point for either of the two teams.
More MLB: Braves Expected To Consider Trading $73 Million All-Star: Report