Toronto tightened its grip on the AL’s Best Record race, moving two steps closer to home-field advantage for the playoffs for just the fourth time in franchise history. With a four-game cushion over Detroit and a favorable finish, the Jays own their destiny in the final stretch as the magic number drifts toward clinching scenarios.

The chase revolves around seven wins by Toronto or losses by rivals to clinch the league’s best record, six to seal the AL East, and three to lock a playoff berth. A potential Friday night clinch looms, though debates persist after a Jays-Royals clash lands on Apple TV while fans crave Sportsnet.

Cal Raleigh’s 2025 season has become a power coronation. He’s sitting at 56 homers with 11 games remaining, on a pace for 60 and chasing the Mariners’ single-season marks while rewriting the record book for switch-hitters. He’s already passed Mantle for the most homers in a season by a switch-hitter and sits atop the AL RBI chart as Seattle rides a home-run tear into the stretch.

His remarkable May–June run, 101 runs and 115 RBIs, and 30 road HRs illustrate a season defined by elite power, timely production, and a shift in how fantasy managers value catchers with multi-positional appeal and monster counting stats.

Nationals aim to split the rain-delayed doubleheader with Atlanta, sending MacKenzie Gore against Chris Sale. Abrams and James Wood sit; Nasim Nunez leads off, with Daylen Lile, Jacob Young and Dylan Crews in the outfield. Josh Bell DHs; Andres Chaparro at first; Riley Adams behind the plate. Braves counter with Marcell Ozuna at DH, Sandy Leon catching, and Nick Allen and Nacho Alvarez added. Washington looks to halt a skid after a Pirates series.