Blue Jays AL East Recap: Blue Jays fighting for first

Yanks very much in WC picture
New York Yankees: 70-55

The Yankees saw success where it counted this week. New York maintained another .500 week, and dispatched some key Wild Card foes in the process.

Admittedly, the Yankees are a (very) long shot for the division title, trailing by 6.5 games. New York is only 3.5 games outside of the Wild Card, though, trailing only Boston, Baltimore, Detroit, and Houston. The Yankees will get another crack at the Blue Jays to start the week, and defeating the Jays blows the division race wide open. New York could further capitalize by beating the Rays during the weekend series.

Gary Sanchez made history, becoming the first ever catcher to pick up both AL Player and Rookie of the month honours. He enters play Monday with a 19-game on base streak. The Yankees added some valuable pitchers with the expanded rosters. One notable call up was Luis Severino, who struggled in the rotation early in the year.

Severino saw success in the bullpen during the weekend. Severino could once again make New York’s rotation as Chad Greene was diagnosed with a UCL Sprain. Another rotation injury adds some questions to the Yankees’ long term playoff viability, but they have the pieces to manage it.

Final Takeaway:

Despite being sellers, the Yankees are all in on the playoff hunt. The few weeks of play will see multiple division contests. If the Yankees can stay afloat among the division leaders, they could see the playoffs again.

Next: Those Pesky Rays, again and again