This weekend holds massive postseason implications for the New York Yankees as they take on the Toronto Blue Jays in a key three-game series. This will have an impact on the American League East for both teams and can determine postseason chances.

The Yankees have developed a recent rivalry with another American League East team, the one from north of the border. The Blue Jays currently hold the top spot in the division, as they replaced the Yankees months ago.

Toronto went on a hot streak as the Yankees struggled in all aspects for long parts of the summer. The Yankees went down a dark path, with silent bats, atrocious defense, and an outright downward spiral. The wheels fell off, leaving management in a tough spot.

Brian Cashman and his front office did not take losing the division as an answer, nor were they going to be sellers. With the postseason in mind, the Yankees went out and filled a few holes.

The Blue Jays did the same, adding reinforcements on both ends. That being said, both teams are meeting up for a weekend set in the Bronx with new pieces on their chessboard. The battle for the AL East is set for the Big Apple.

Postseason Implications for Yankees-Blue Jays Series

Tight would be an understatement in arguably the toughest division in baseball. Years ago, Blue Jays fans were hoping for a postseason expansion, giving them a chance in October in addition to the Boston Red Sox and the Yankees.

Currently, these three AL East teams are set up to make a postseason appearance one way or another. The Blue Jays are 2 1/2 games up on both the Yankees and the Red Sox in the division.

The Yankees begin a MASSIVE two-week stretch tonight in Houston, as they’ll play the Astros, Red Sox, Tigers and Blue Jays over their next 12 games👀 Predict their record⬇️#Yankees pic.twitter.com/7tFSqzJSkA — Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) September 2, 2025

Both Yankees and Red Sox are currently set up in wild card seeds one and two, placing them in position to face off in a best-of-three series. Any games that any of these three teams play from here on in will be impactful to the divisional standings. The Blue Jays currently lead the season series with the Yankees 7-3.

Expect a Competitive Series All Around

The Yankees are hot right now, with all cylinders firing offensively. The Blue Jays are also on-and-off hot. Toronto is 80-59 with a 35-35 record on the road, going 5-5 in their last 10 games.

The Yankees are 77-61 with a 41-28 record in the Bronx, and an 8-2 record in their last 10 games.

The matchup this weekend is an elite-level showdown both offensively and pitching-wise. Game one will feature Kevin Gausman for the Blue Jays and Cam Schlittler for the Yankees.

Game two will have veteran starter Max Scherzer for Toronto, against the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year, Luis Gil. The rubber match will have Chris Bassitt going for Toronto versus left-hander Max Fried.

The match-ups on the mound are important, as this could be a future matchup in a postseason scenario. Games played this weekend are crucial for the postseason status of each club.

The head-to-head results are important. Both teams’ finishes may come down to the final days of their schedules.

Main Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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TORONTO – The game-tying solo shot stung. The go-ahead homer was a body blow.

Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman bent over on the mound and rested his hands on his knees as Matt Wallner’s three-run blast cleared the wall for Minnesota’s second homer of the ninth inning.

Mickey Gasper had pulled the Twins even with his first career homer and Wallner’s 20th homer of the year was the difference as Minnesota came back for a 7-5 victory over Toronto on Tuesday night at Rogers Centre.

Hoffman (8-5) took the loss after his seventh blown save of the season.

“Some nights you don’t have it,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “Tonight was one of the nights.”

The six-foot-five, 235-pound right-hander can be electric when he’s on point. When he’s off, things can go sideways in a hurry.

His 28 saves are proof that Hoffman can thrive when the game is on the line. But his bloated 4.77 earned-run average is well above what’s needed from a high-leverage reliever.

“His numbers obviously I know aren’t where they need to be, but I think (he’s) the same guy that pretty much carried us for two straight months,” said Toronto starter Chris Bassitt. “And then yes, (he’s) had a couple of bad ones. But overall, I trust him more than anyone.”

With Toronto’s lead in the East Division standings down to four games, lockdown-style performances from the closer will be needed down the stretch as the Blue Jays try to improve their seeding in the American League.

Hoffman has converted just two of his last five save opportunities and has a 6.75 ERA in his last seven appearances.

Calls for a shakeup of the team’s high-leverage arms will only grow with his latest performance, but Schneider plans to stick with him.

“When he’s available and you want to save a game, I’m going to bring him in,” he said. “He’s shown that he can do it.”

The loss overshadowed a strong performance by Blue Jays slugger George Springer, who hit two home runs, scored four times and had four hits. He leads the team with 24 homers this season.

Nathan Lukes had three hits and Ernie Clement and Bo Bichette each chipped in with a pair. Bichette leads the major leagues in hits (167) and multi-hit games (48).

Toronto had a 4-0 lead after five innings. Bassitt kept Minnesota off the scoreboard until Luke Keaschall’s two-run homer in the sixth.

The right-hander allowed two earned runs and four hits over 5 2/3 innings. He had six strikeouts and three walks.

Twins reliever Michael Tonkin (2-0) recorded two outs in the eighth inning for the win and Justin Topa survived a nervy ninth for his fourth save.

Topa got Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to fly out with a runner on to end the game as Toronto fell to 77-56 overall and an AL-best 43-22 at home.

The Blue Jays and Twins will square off in the rubber game of the three-game series on Wednesday night.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 26, 2025.