Entering the series opener on Friday night, the Blue Jays led the Yankees by three games atop the East. The Boston Red Sox are only 3 1/2 back, so sweeping the Yankees wouldn't inherently put things on ice for the Blue Jays, but their odds would skyrocket either way.

Toronto beat the Yankees for the eight time in 11 meetings this year and dropped New York to 17-23 against the AL East. Seeking its first division title since 2015, the Blue Jays trailed the Yankees by eight games in May but opened a 6 1/2-game lead in August.