As the 2021 MLB regular season slowly expires, the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays will face off in a crucial series at Rogers Centre from Tuesday to Thursday.
The 89-67 Yankees currently occupy the first spot of the Wild Card in the American League after sweeping the Boston Red Sox this past weekend.
The Blue Jays are 87-69, two games behind the Yankees and one behind the Red Sox, the current holders of the second Wild Card berth.
There are, in total, four teams fighting for two Wild Card spots: the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and the surprising Seattle Mariners.
The race for the postseason is in full charge in the junior circuit, and that makes the Yankees vs. Blue Jays matchup one to watch even for neutral fans.
As things currently stand, there is a chance that both the Yankees and Blue Jays make it to the playoffs, but there is actually a greater chance one or both are left out.
The winner of the three-game set between the Bombers and the Jays will be in a very good position for the final series of the season.
The Jays might want to sweep, however, because they are two games behind the Yanks.
A Star-Filled Showdown
The Yankees–Blue Jays series is also attractive because it will provide fans with the opportunity to watch some of the game’s brightest stars.
The Blue Jays have a firm MVP candidate in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looking to lift his team towards a series win.
Guerrero is hitting .315/.405/.601 with 46 home runs and 105 RBI this year, although he is 0-for-his-last-12.
Marcus Semien (43 homers), Bo Bichette (.291/.337/.463, 26 dingers, 23 steals), Teoscar Hernandez (31 home runs), Lourdes Gurriel Jr., George Springer, Alejandro Kirk, Corey Dickerson, and Danny Jansen complete an impressive group of hitters.
Meanwhile, the Yankees have the red-hot Giancarlo Stanton (three home runs and 10 RBI in the weekend series against the Red Sox), Aaron Judge, Joey Gallo, Anthony Rizzo, DJ LeMahieu, Gary Sanchez, Gleyber Torres, Brett Gardner, Gio Urshela, and Rougned Odor.
The offense hasn’t always been reliable or consistent, but with Stanton and Judge doing the heavy lifting, the Yankees always have a chance.
Stellar Pitching
The Yankees will send Jameson Taillon, Gerrit Cole, and Corey Kluber to the mound in the three games against the Blue Jays.
Toronto will answer with Hyun Jin Ryu, Jose Berrios, and Robbie Ray.
There are two Cy Young candidates in that group: Cole for the Yankees and Ray for Toronto.
This series against the Blue Jays will go a long way in determining the Cy Young, since it will be Cole and Ray’s last start of the season.
— G.T. Julian Guilarte (@JulianGuilarte1) September 27, 2021
The rest is a group of solid veterans looking to leave their marks and give their respective clubs a chance to win.
The Blue Jays offense is significantly better, but the Yankees hold an advantage in the bullpen.
I dont think the Yankees can sweep the Blue Jays. Their pitching is way better than Boston and Toronto's offense gave us problems all year. If we manage to have good/close games til the Montoyo calls the bullpen, we might have a shot to win the series.
— All rise #99 ⚾ 😷 💉 (Andrew Velazquez, one of us) (@allrise_nyy) September 28, 2021
They have many more options for the late innings, starting with converted starters Luis Severino, Domingo German, and Mike King.
Jonathan Loaisiga should be close to a return, and Clay Holmes has been a stalwart.
Chad Green, Aroldis Chapman, Joely Rodriguez, and Wandy Peralta should also be available.
All things considered, the Yankees–Blue Jays series is a must-see for all fans, even neutrals.
NEXT: 3 Preseason AL Cy Young Candidates Who Faltered In 2021