Baseball is back.
The Yankees (53-43) are in Atlanta on Friday night, kickstarting a challenging two weeks (at Toronto, vs. Philadelphia, vs. Tampa Bay) that could change the shape of the crowded AL East.
The Blue Jays (55-41) are two games up on the Bombers, chasing their first division title in nine years. The Red Sox (53-45) are three back, winners of 10 straight. The Rays (50-47) remain in contention, 5.5 games back despite four straight losses.
The Mets (55-42) return home to face Cincinnati, beginning a stretch in which they’ll take on fellow playoff contenders in 12 of their next 15 games (vs. Angels, at San Francisco, at San Diego, vs. San Francisco). The Phillies hold a half-game edge in the NL East with seven games remaining against the Mets, who haven’t won a division title in a decade.
