The New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays continue to battle it out for first place in the American League East. Toronto continues their hold by 1 1-2 games after the Yankees pulled off a sweep that kept them in the running. Now the team could overtake the Blue Jays as the two teams face off for three-game series that could shake up the standings.
Much of the Yankees' recent success comes at the bat of Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury. The two were responsible for most of the hits in a loss to Baltimore. He went 6 for 12 with a home run and two RBIs during last week's series against Toronto and aims to keep pace heading into three-game showdown. Mark Teixeira has also found his bat despite having a 10-game hit streak snapped on Sunday. He left the game in the eighth inning due to a foot injury.
The Yankees will send Chase Whitley to the mound. He is 3-0 with a 2.56 ERA on the season. He is currently looking for his fourth-straight win. He got one of the wins against Toronto during the recent sweep. Whitley gave up just two runs over five innings. He has not given up more than two runs in his last four starts. Whitley will be responsible for trying to keep the winning against the Blue Jays going.
Toronto has a short roster for this matchup after both Jose Bautista and Brett Lowrie left Sunday's game against Cincinnati injured. Lawrie has a broken index finger while Bautista is experiencing hamstring tightness. He will undergo an MRI. Jose Reyes fell risk to injury after a foul ball hit his knee. He is 1 for 20 in his last five games. Toronto has hit a slump, currently losing 11 of their last 15 games.
Toronto will give Marcus Stroman the start. He is 2-2 with a 2.91 ERA in his last four starts. He struggled in his last start going just three innings while allowing four hits and two guns. The Blue Jays need more than that if they are going to win.
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