TORONTO -- There is still a question mark on the calendar for Oct. 6, and the Yankees are desperately trying to keep it that way. If the season ended as the standings currently are, they would have to host the Astros in the American League Wild Card Game presented by Budweiser at Yankee Stadium, reducing their entire season to nine innings.
That is a coin flip that the Yankees would be thrilled to avoid, but their odds of doing so looked more difficult after Monday's 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Toronto (86-64) now holds a 3 1/2-game advantage over the Yankees (82-67) in the AL East, effectively making the next two games must-wins.