A series sweep of the Oakland Athletics, and some support from the Cleveland Indians, helped the Toronto Blue Jays claim sole possession of first place in the American League East.
Now, they’ll ready for what is arguably their most important series in more than 20 years. On Friday, the New York Yankees enter the Rogers Centre half a game back of the Blue Jays for the division lead.
But before we get to this weekend’s showdown with the Yankees, here are five takeaways from the three-game set with the Athletics.
A franchise record is in sight
The Jays tied a franchise record, racking up an 11th consecutive victory with Thursday’s 4-2 win. They can set a new franchise best, not to mention gain a full game on the Yankees, with a win on Friday.
David Price will get the ball versus Ivan Nova.
Hutchison stays in the picture
Things have not gone particularly smoothly for Drew Hutchison this season. Thanks to some tremendous run support in many of his starts, the 24-year-old sports an 11-2 record. His peripherals tell a different story, though.
When R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle swapped starts versus the Athletics, it appeared the former was in line to start this Sunday’s contest versus the Yankees. As such, on Tuesday versus the Athletics Hutchison was effectively pitching for his regular turn in the rotation.
Hutchison delivered one of his best starts of the year, pitching into the eighth inning for just the third time this season and for the first time since a May 25 start against the Chicago White Sox. He’ll get the ball in an important game come Sunday.
Mark Buehrle is a magician
The Blue Jays’ big bats were relatively quiet in Thursday’s matinee. Ryan Goins supplied the bulk of the offensive support with his three-run shot in the bottom of the second inning. From there, it was the Buehrle magic show.
The 36-year-old scattered seven hits over seven frames of work, striking out two and walking a pair.
Buehrle moved to 13-5 on the season and now sports a tidy 3.31 ERA to go along with 73 strikeouts and just 24 walks in 155 innings of work.
The cost of tickets is climbing
The trade deadline additions and 11-game winning streak have Toronto sports fans flooding the box office for Blue Jays’ ticket requests. It’s slim pickings entering the series versus the Yankees.
46,902 fans showed up for Thursday’s matinee, the club’s seventh sellout of the season.
If you’re looking to take in a contest this weekend, be ready to spend above face value.
According to secondary market aggregator site SeatGeek.com, it will cost prospective attendees $68 just to get in the building for Game 1 of the series on Friday.
Everyone is watching
The Blue Jays are a hot ticket. Not only are they approaching sellouts for weeknight games versus a mediocre clubs like the Athletics, they’re also pulling in record television audiences.
