Postseason battles intensify as AL East championship hangs in the balance between the Yankees and Blue Jays in their upcoming series.

The New York Yankees are set to host the Toronto Blue Jays in a crucial three-game series at Yankee Stadium, with both teams vying for position in the AL East and the stretch drive of the season.

The Blue Jays will be starting Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, and Shane Bieber in the upcoming series, while the Yankees will counter with Camilo Doval, Luis Gil, and Max Fried. The Blue Jays' bullpen is expected to feature Ryan Borucki, Braydon Fisher, Louis Varland, Brendon Little, and Yariel Rodríguez, with Varland having struggled in recent weeks.

The Blue Jays have dominated the season series against the Yankees, holding a record of 7-3 and an advantage in runs scored (59-51). However, the Yankees have been bolstered by the performances of several key players. Cody Bellinger, for instance, has been hitting well with an average of .327, on-base percentage of .379, and slugging percentage of .558 in the last 14 days. Trent Grisham has also been contributing, with an average of .261, on-base percentage of .404, and slugging percentage of .717.

Jazz Chisholm Jr., who has been performing exceptionally with an average of .262, on-base percentage of .373, and slugging percentage of .714 in the last 14 days, may miss the weekend series due to a knee contusion. The Yankees' manager, Aaron Boone, has expressed some dissatisfaction about the team's schedule, but acknowledged the importance of winning games during the stretch drive of the season.

The Blue Jays have several standout performers as well. Alejandro Kirk has been exceptional, with an average of .364, on-base percentage of .475, and slugging percentage of .667 in the last 14 days. George Springer and Bo Bichette have also been shining, with Springer boasting an average of .417, on-base percentage of .509, and slugging percentage of .833, and Bichette recording an average of .408, on-base percentage of .473, and slugging percentage of .612.

The Yankees and Red Sox are comfortably in wild card position, while the Baltimore Orioles trail in fifth place with a record of 64-76. The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays are also in the AL East race, with records of 78-63 and 71-69, respectively. As of the article, the Toronto Blue Jays lead the AL East with a record of 81-59, while the Yankees are second with 78-62.

The Yankees had a game in Houston on Thursday that featured a bat controversy. Despite the challenges, the team will be looking to turn things around in this crucial series against the Blue Jays. The outcome of this series could significantly impact the AL East standings and the wild card race.