The Toronto Blue Jays have a chance to finish off a statement weekend against the New York Yankees on Sunday at Rogers Centre.
After taking the first two games of the series, Toronto enters the finale looking for a three-game sweep and another important victory in a crowded American League Wild Card race. The Blue Jays won Friday’s opener 3-1 before following it with a 4-1 victory on Saturday. Toronto has now won six of its last seven series and entered Sunday at 61-64.
Toronto Turns to Dylan Cease
If the Blue Jays are going to complete the sweep, they have the right arm on the mound.
Dylan Cease enters Sunday at 7-5 with a 2.40 ERA and has established himself as one of the leading contenders in the American League Cy Young race. Toronto will be hoping for length from Cease after using seven pitchers during Saturday’s victory.
The matchup also comes at an ideal time for Cease because New York’s offense has gone ice cold.
The Yankees scored 10 runs against Seattle on Wednesday but have managed just two total runs over their last three games. They have scored only once in each of the first two games against Toronto.
New York’s Ben Rice is one of several hitters searching for answers. Despite entering Saturday with 32 home runs and an .883 OPS this season, Rice has hit just .130 with two homers across his last 21 games.
Yankees Need a Response
New York enters the finale at 68-55 and will hand the ball to left-hander Ryan Weathers, who brings a 5-7 record and 3.69 ERA into the matchup.
Toronto, meanwhile, will have to continue producing without Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list following a collision during Friday’s game.
That makes Sunday’s matchup more than an opportunity to sweep a division rival. For Toronto, it is another chance to strengthen its postseason push. For New York, it is about stopping an offensive slide before a difficult August stretch gets even tougher.
With Cease on the mound and Toronto carrying the momentum, the Blue Jays have an opportunity to make this one of their biggest series wins of the season.
