The most significant series in baseball this weekend is at Yankee Stadium. Even though the American focus will be on the opening weekend of the National Football League season, and the global focus will be on the United States Open tennis finals, there will also be a lot of attention regarding the two top teams in the American League East.
The Blue Jays are in first place with a record of 81 wins and 59 losses, while the Yankees are second at 78 wins and 62 losses. However, it is the Yankees that have the momentum advantage at the moment. The Bronx Bombers are winners of eight of their last 10, while the Blue Jays have just been ordinary. They have been only .500 in their last 10 games, and recently lost a series to the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are dead last in the National League Central.
The Yankees are led by right fielder Aaron Judge of Linden, California, who leads the Major Leagues with a .322 batting average, and is second in the American League with 43 home runs. Meanwhile, the Yankees starting pitcher on Sunday is Max Fried of Santa Monica, California, who is second in the American League with 15 wins.
The Blue Jays are led by shortstop Bo Bichette of Orlando, Florida and designated hitter/outfielder George Springer of New Britain, Connecticut. Bichette and Springer are tied for third in the American League with a .307 batting average, and Bichette leads the Major Leagues with 177 hits. Yesterday, we talked about the struggles this season of Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman. However, he is still third in the American League with 30 saves.
