LEADING OFF: Yanks' Cole faces Jays in potential last start

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday

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WILD, WILD EAST

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole makes what might be his final start of the regular season in a critical showdown against Toronto. New York opened the three-game series Tuesday night two games ahead of the Blue Jays for the top AL wild card, and Cole (16-8, 3.08) will try to strengthen the Yanks’ grip on a postseason spot while also solidifying his Cy Young Award candidacy. The four-time All-Star has never won the prize for baseball’s top pitchers.

Cole could wind up pitching again Sunday against the AL East-champion Rays on short rest if it’s critical to the Yankees’ postseason chances. If not, he’d be available on regular rest for a potential Game 163 on Monday or for the AL wild-card game Tuesday.

First, he’ll oppose Toronto’s Jose Berrios, who struck out eight and pitched two-run ball over 6 2/3 innings against the Yankees on Sept. 9.

Boston, which started Tuesday a game behind New York, will continue a three-game series at last-place Baltimore.

THUMBS DOWN

The Giants will close out their pursuit of an NL West title without slugger Brandon Belt, who went on the injured list Tuesday with a broken left thumb.

Belt exited a 6-2 win at Colorado on Sunday in the seventh inning after getting hit on the left hand with a pitch while squaring to bunt. X-rays on Monday revealed the fracture.

The injury is a big blow for the NL West leaders, who began a home series with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night still seeking to close out their first division title since 2012. It's unclear if Belt would be able to return before the end of the postseason.

The 33-year-old Belt is batting .274 with a career-high 29 homers and 59 RBIs.

MAX EFFORT

NL Cy Young contender Max...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Yanks-Cole-faces-Jays-in-potential-16494858.php