Yankees slugger looks to make history in Toronto; Blue Jays push for playoffs

History could be made at the Rogers Centre this week with the New York Yankees in town for three games and slugger Aaron Judge poised to break a 61-year-old home run record.

Judge chases history as the Toronto Blue Jays continue to chase a postseason berth. The Jays are coming off a 7-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, on the back of a two-homer game from George Springer and solid start from pitcher Ross Stripling.

The Yankees still sit comfortably ahead of the Jays in the American League East, and while the division is out of reach, there’s plenty of motivation for Toronto who can clinch the playoffs this week if things go well.

“I feel good about where we are,” says Interim manager John Schneider. “I’m looking forward to getting home and playing in front of our fans.”

“It’s no time to rest. You’ve got two more good teams coming up at home and finish with another good team in Baltimore.”

What's better than a Springer Dinger?

How about TWO Springer Dingers ???? #NextLevel | @BlueJays pic.twitter.com/TlqTkyojJx

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 25, 2022

Sunday’s win secured a four-game split with Tampa and moved Toronto two games clear of the Rays atop the wild-card race. The Jays also sit 2.5 games up on the Seattle Mariners, who currently hold the third wild card spot.

The Baltimore Orioles, who are chasing the three wild card teams, fell to Houston in 11 innings on Sunday. The magic number for the Blue Jays to clinch is now four — that’s the combination of Blue Jays wins and Orioles losses needed to ensure Toronto ends up playing postseason baseball.

After their three-game set with the Yankees, the Red Sox come to town for three, before the Jays finish their season with three games against the Orioles in Baltimore.

Blue Jays fans could witness history with Yankees, Judge in town

Fans in Toronto hoping to witness a historic moment from Judge could have the weather to thank. Judge was moments away from coming up against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday night when the game was called due to heavy rain and lightning.

The right fielder is currently sitting at 60 home runs for the year, one off the American League record held by fellow Yankee Roger Maris. Judge is just the third A.L. player to hit 60 home runs, joining Maris and Babe Ruth.

He will now look to tie and then break the record as New York heads north of the border. Judge expects his parents will follow him to Toronto and be in attendance.

“Oh, yeah. I hope so. They’re retired. They’ve got nothing to do. So they better be there,” he said.

The slugger has gone five games without a home run since he hit number 60 last Tuesday against Pittsburgh.

New York has won seven straight and can clinch the AL East title with a victory Monday night over the Blue Jays.

First pitch between New York and Toronto is just after 7 p.m..

With files from Sportsnet and The Associated Press