The Toronto Blue Jays have a significant opportunity to sweep the New York Yankees, marking their first four-game sweep since 2021, which would place them in sole possession of first place in the American League East. The Blue Jays, currently tied with the Yankees at 48-38, will rely on Chris Bassitt, who aims to recover from a rough outing against the Red Sox where he allowed nine runs in two innings. Meanwhile, Clarke Schmidt steps up for the Yankees, who are looking to halt a slump that has seen them drop 13 of their last 19 games.

The stakes are high as the Blue Jays' bullpen has seen heavy use, and the Yankees' relievers have struggled, leading to 12 earned runs in just nine innings in the series. With both starting pitchers coming off poor performances, the matchup looms critical for each team's momentum heading into the latter part of the season.

The Toronto Blue Jays aim to finalize a four-game sweep against the New York Yankees, hoping to clinch sole possession of first place in the American League East during the series finale at Rogers Centre. Toronto has shown formidable form, winning six of their last seven games and taking the first three of this series. They managed to overcome an early eight-run deficit in Wednesday's wild 11-9 victory, displaying both resilience and offensive firepower with 33 runs across their winning streak.

Chris Bassitt will take the mound for the Blue Jays with a 7-4 record and a 4.29 ERA, holding a lifetime 3-1 record against the Yankees. Meanwhile, Clarke Schmidt counters for New York, seeking redemption after a shaky outing against the Athletics. Schmidt has struggled historically against Toronto, but he’ll look to leverage his recent form to challenge Bassitt. Current player props suggest intrigue, with sportsbooks setting Bassitt's strikeouts at 5.5 and Schmidt's at 4.5, indicative of the pitchers' varying performances this season.

On July 3, the New York Yankees (48-38) are set to face the Toronto Blue Jays (48-38) in a pivotal matchup that could decide the top spot in the American League East.

The Blue Jays have dominated the series thus far, scoring an astonishing 28 runs against the Yankees' pitching staff over the first three games. In a particularly explosive outing, they racked up 11 runs against New York in a recent contest, with Aaron Judge hitting his 31st home run of the season despite the loss. Clarke Schmidt will take the mound for the Yankees, sporting a 3.09 ERA, while the Blue Jays will counter with Chris Bassitt, who has struggled of late with a 4.29 ERA.

As the teams are tied for first, each game becomes increasingly critical. Notably, the Yankees are favored with a moneyline of -125 against the Blue Jays at +105, with the total runs over/under set at 8.0. With the Yankees needing a win to regain momentum, and the Blue Jays looking to extend their lead, tonight's matchup promises to be intense.

The Toronto Blue Jays continue their resurgence, climbing back into a tie for first place in the American League East after overcoming an eight-game deficit. Key to their success has been a 32-18 run since early May, propelled by contributions from various players despite injuries. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been a standout, recently named an All-Star for the fifth time.

In a thrilling series against the New York Yankees, the Blue Jays took three of four games, showcasing their offensive firepower, notably in an 11-9 victory where they initially led 8-0. Manager John Schneider emphasized the importance of maintaining the winning momentum as they head into the next game with Chris Bassitt on the mound.

Eric Lauer's resurgence has been pivotal for the Toronto Blue Jays as they navigate a challenging season. Since joining the rotation at the end of April, Lauer has impressed with his performance, boasting a 1.72 ERA in June with 36 strikeouts over 35.1 innings. His ability to keep hitters at bay, allowing only a .176 batting average, makes him a critical asset, especially with Max Scherzer's return looming.

Lauer's approach to pitching relies more on finesse than velocity, averaging just 91.8 mph on his fastball yet maintaining effectiveness. The left-hander emphasizes location and off-speed strategies, drawing admiration from teammates and coaches alike. As Lauer prepares for an upcoming start against the Cleveland Guardians, his mindset remains focused on controlling his pitch execution to help snap the Jays out of their recent slump.