The Blue Jays are officially in the driver’s seat. After taking two of three from the New York Yankees this past week at Rogers Centre, Toronto has extended its lead atop the AL East to 5.5 games heading into the final weekend of July.

With a 62–42 record, the Jays now sit comfortably ahead of the Yankees (56–47), and even further ahead of the Red Sox (55–50), Rays (53–51), and Orioles (45–58). It’s been a statement summer so far—and the most recent series against New York only added to the momentum.

Toronto Outplays Yankees in Pivotal Series

Game one saw Kevin Gausman toss seven strong innings while Bo Bichette came through with a two-run double that helped push the Jays to a 4–1 win. The Yankees didn’t do themselves any favours either—defensive miscues gave Toronto multiple extra opportunities. It was the team’s 11th straight win at home, setting a franchise record and setting the tone for the series.

Game two flipped the script. Yankees rookie Ben Rice crushed a go-ahead homer in the ninth inning, handing closer Jeff Hoffman just his second blown save of the season. Despite another solid effort from the Jays' offense, New York escaped with a 5–4 win to snap Toronto’s streak.

But in game three, the Jays answered in a big way. Bo Bichette launched his 13th homer of the year, Chris Bassitt pitched into the eighth inning with eight strikeouts, and the Yankees once again unraveled defensively—committing four more errors. Addison Barger delivered a pair of RBI singles and Ernie Clement kept his hot stretch going, helping the Jays cruise to an 8–4 win and a crucial series victory.

Across the three-game set, the Yankees committed nine errors, while Toronto played steady, composed baseball. That discipline—and the ability to capitalize—has become a hallmark of this Blue Jays team since June.

How the Summer Schedule Stacks Up

With the Yankees series behind them, the Jays head out on the road for four games in Detroit. After that, they’ll take on the Guardians, Royals, and Red Sox in a mix of AL Central and divisional matchups.

The rest of the summer will feature more key series against division rivals like Boston and Tampa Bay, and every win will count as the standings tighten up. But with a 23–4 home record since May, Toronto’s stronghold at Rogers Centre gives them a big edge in any tiebreaker scenario—especially after winning the season series against the Yankees.

Pitching, Power, and Poise

Toronto’s rotation has quietly become one of the most dependable in the league. Chris Bassitt, Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, and Max Scherzer have combined experience and depth that few teams can match. The bullpen, led by Hoffman, Yariel Rodríguez, and Génesis Cabrera, has been sharp outside of the occasional late-inning stumble.

At the plate, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are both heating up, while George Springer and Davis Schneider continue to provide timely hits. Rookie call-ups like Addison Barger have also stepped up in clutch moments.

If they can stay healthy and continue to win the games they’re supposed to, the Jays are well-positioned to finish the summer strong—and possibly lock down their first AL East title since 2015.

The Race Isn’t Over Yet

Of course, the Yankees won’t fade quietly. Despite the recent struggles, they still lead the league in home runs and have a top-ranked run differential. But their defense has been shaky, and Toronto has made the most of it.

Boston and Tampa Bay also remain in the hunt, with enough games remaining to shake things up. One extended slump from the Jays could shift the standings fast. But right now, Toronto has the edge in every key category—health, consistency, and head-to-head performance.

There’s still a long way to go. But if the Blue Jays keep playing like they have this July, it won’t just be a playoff spot they’re securing. It might be a division crown—and a deep October run to match.