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 2025 MLB Home Run Derby is set to take place on July 14 at Truist Field in Atlanta, featuring an exciting eight-player lineup. Leading the charge is Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr., who hopes to reclaim his power status after returning from an ACL injury. Joining him are Dominant hitters like reigning champion Teoscar Hernández and breakout star James Wood of the Washington Nationals, who has already eclipsed 20 home runs this season. Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh, the current home run leader, will also look to showcase his power in this fan-favorite event.

While many stars are ready to compete, several big names have opted out, including Aaron Judge and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., citing various reasons such as prior commitments and personal preferences. This year's format, which continues to evolve from a strict bracket to a more inclusive system, allows all participants the chance to showcase their hitting prowess from the start. Fans can expect a thrilling event as these hitters vie for the trophy and bragging rights.

The Toronto Blue Jays have surged to the top of the AL East, tying for first place with the New York Yankees after being eight games back just a month ago. The Blue Jays are riding a four-game winning streak and have claimed six of their last seven, showcasing a well-rounded offensive lineup. Since May 28, they’ve averaged 5.9 runs per game, significantly up from 3.8.

Key contributors include George Springer, who has hit .317 with a .577 slugging percentage in his last 29 games, and Ernie Clement, who is batting .377 in the same span. Alejandro Kirk and Addison Barger have also been pivotal, providing solid offensive production. This diverse offensive talent has transformed the Blue Jays into serious contenders for the AL East title and potentially their first pennant since 1993.

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.

The Toronto Blue Jays are riding high, having clinched first place in their division. Davis Schneider, who has been on a remarkable hitting streak, hitting .400 against the Yankees, reflects on his recent success and the team's impressive performance over the past six weeks despite some key injuries. Myles Straw, discussing his contributions on the field and base paths, emphasizes the fresh start he has found in Toronto, especially with Daulton Varsho unavailable. Chad Green shares insights on his tumultuous season thus far and offers advice for rookie Mason Fluharty who was recently optioned to Buffalo.