Yankees Lose Two of Three, Put a Damper on Playoff Hopes
This week’s series between the Yankees and Blue Jays was taylor-made to give the Yankees an opportunity to gain on the division leading Red Sox and Rays, but was also a perfect opportunity for the Blue Jays to make a move on the AL East’s 3rd place spot - a spot currently occupied by the Yankees.
After winning the first game of the series on Tuesday, the Jays had the opportunity to tie the Yankees in the division with a series sweep. After winning on Wednesday, the Yankees made that possibility null and void, however a 14-3 thrashing by Toronto sent New York packing with a one game lead over Toronto for the3rd place spot.
At this point neither of these teams is likely to acquire a playoff spot, much less a division crown - as the Red Sox and Rays continue to play well and the Yankees continue to fall. Despite their recent surge, Toronto is unlikely to climb out of fourth place in the division, however stranger things have happened.
The lop-sided loss to Toronto on Thursday was exactly what the Yankees didn’t need. With a full slate of NY Yankee games forthcoming against Tampa Bay, Chicago, Boston, and The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, they need to win all of their games against non-division leading teams. Furthermore, they certainly don’t need any more moral-damaging 10 plus run losses.
