LEADING OFF: Yanks' Cole faces Jays with wild card in sight

A look at what's happening around the majors today:

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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 took the opener of a three-game series Tuesday night to move three games ahead of the Blue Jays for the top AL wild card. 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 lost to Baltimore Tuesday night to fall two games behind the Yankees and will continue a three-game set against the last-place Orioles.

ON THE CUSP

The Braves can get within striking distance of clinching the NL East with a win over Philadelphia. Atlanta took the opener of their three-game set Tuesday night to pull 3 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Phillies, trimming their magic number to secure a fourth straight division title to three.

Atlanta left-hander Max Fried (13-7, 3.12) is set to face righty Aaron Nola (9-8, 4.64) for the Phillies, who were knocked out of the NL wild-card race Tuesday when St. Louis beat Milwaukee and can only make the postseason by winning the division.

TURNED TIDES

The Mariners have won 10 of 12 to charge into the thick of the AL wild-card race and enter their series...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Yanks-Cole-faces-Jays-with-wild-16495266.php