Seconds after Cody Bellinger threw Bo Bichette out at home plate to prevent the tying run from scoring in the sixth inning on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium, the grounds crew sprinted onto the field,

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette leaves game vs. New York Yankees after a scary collision at home plate in key AL East showdown.

When the Yankees put their team together in the offseason and then revamped the bullpen, this is probably the kind of performance they had in mind.

The Toronto Blue Jays are in the midst of a crucial three-game set against the New York Yankees, looking to separate themselves and expand their AL East division lead. Toronto has been firing on all cylinders in 2025, with bounce-back seasons from designated hitter George Springer and shortstop Bo Bichette.

On Friday night, the Yankees open a home stand with a series against the Blue Jays. Here is the lineup, with Aaron Judge back in the outfield.

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.