Toronto Blue Jays: Five Series to Watch Down the Stretch

Aug 9, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Dioner Navarro (30) congratulates Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roberto Osuna (54) on getting the save after the ninth inning of the game at Yankee Stadium. The Blue Jays won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees, September 10th-13th

If the Jays hope to hang onto the divisional title, they’ll need to finish the season with a winning record against the New York Yankees (69-54) – it’s that simple.

Fortunately, the Jays have been good against the Yankees (8-4) and American League East opponents in general (27-23) this season. This series will see the MLB’s two biggest offences battle it out at the home-run friendly Yankee Stadium so expect some fireworks.

Aug 9, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roberto Osuna (54) follows through after delivering a pitch during the ninth inning of the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The Blue Jays won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

The pre- and post-all-star numbers for offence favour the Jays, but it was only a season ago that we still spoke of the Jays’ troubles in New York City so this matchup could go either way. A recent sweep of the Yankees on the road shouldn’t disguise this fact.

When it comes to team ERA, the Yankees (20th) enjoyed a slight advantage over the Jays (23rd) in the pre-all-star break period, but this reverses itself in the post-all-star break where the Jays rank third and the Yankees rank seventh.

I predict a tough series split between the two American League power houses.

Notes: the Yankees are 37-24 at home this season and 28-22 against the American League East. Toronto has outscored New York 43-26 on the season.