ATLANTA – The Yankees’ final journey to Toronto changed into a catastrophe. Now they’re hoping current historical past doesn’t repeat itself with the membership returning to Canada for 3 video games in opposition to the Blue Jays.
Toronto simply swept a four-game sequence in opposition to the Bombers between June 30 and July 3. That stretch noticed the Jays overtake the Yankees for first place within the American League East. John Schneider’s squad hasn’t relented since, because the 58-41 Jays will enter Monday’s series-opener with a three-game lead over the 55-44 Yankees. They’ve additionally received 10 straight at Rogers Centre.
“Hopefully we can go have a better result this time around,” Aaron Boone stated Sunday earlier than his Yankees pulled off a 4-2, series-winning victory over the Braves in Atlanta.
Boone went on to reward the Blue Jays, who’re 5-2 in opposition to the Yankees this season.
All the AL East has given the Yankees matches this yr, as Boone’s membership is 10-16 in opposition to the remainder of the division. The AL East woes, coupled with one other summer time swoon, contributed to the Yankees blowing the seven-game division lead they held on Might 28.
“Not good enough to win a division probably,” Boone stated when requested about his crew’s AL East file. “So hopefully that adjustments right here within the ultimate couple-plus months. We’re positioned to try this. However that’s doubtless and clearly going to have to enhance right here within the second half if we’re in the end going to win the division.
“I would say our first goal is to get in the playoffs. Then it’s to win the division, and then obviously go play for it all. But, yeah, we know we gotta play better within the division.”
The Yankees could have loads of different probabilities to reverse their pattern of poor play in opposition to division rivals after the Toronto sequence, because the Rays will go to the Bronx on the finish of the month, coinciding with the commerce deadline. August will deliver two extra video games in Tampa and 4 in opposition to Boston.
Then there’s the potential for a dramatic September, because the Yankees will play 13 divisional video games. That features three in opposition to the Blue Jays, three in opposition to the Purple Sox and 7 in opposition to the Orioles, who will go to New York for the ultimate three video games of the season.
“Anytime you play in the AL East, it’s going to be a gauntlet,” Aaron Decide stated. “Every team’s usually always in it, so you have to be ready to go.”
For now, nevertheless, the main focus is Toronto, the place Carlos Rodón, Cam Schlittler and Max Fried will face Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt.
Schlittler will make his second MLB begin after experiencing some bicep soreness over the All-Star break, whereas Fried is slated for his first begin since struggling a blister pre-break.
The Yankees’ hope is that their starters and lineup, which exploded for 12 runs on Saturday, can extract some revenge over the subsequent few days, although they’re attempting not to consider their final journey north of the border.
“It’s a good time to start getting hot,” Decide acknowledged, however he added, “If we try to think about what happened the last time we played them, it ain’t going to change our record. So we gotta focus on the present and what we can do right now, and just take care of business.”
