The Rays have spent much of the year atop the American League East. The Yankees scuffled for some of the summer but still find themselves in the first Wild Card spot with Aaron Judge back in the lineup. The Red Sox, meanwhile, have pulled off one of the more improbable runs in baseball, going 48-21 since June 25.
But there is still plenty to be decided. The division remains up for grabs (the Yankees trail the Rays by three games as the weekend begins), postseason roles are still being sorted out, and, perhaps most importantly, each team has questions that will need to be answered before October. Here's a look at the X-factors that could shape the final two weeks in the AL East.
The Yankees trail the Rays by three games heading into Friday in the race for the top spot AL East. And although both teams have just 16 regular-season games remaining, New York isn't giving up hope on the division. The Rays have the tougher schedule, including series against the Astros, Phillies and Red Sox, along with a four-game set against the Yankees.
Tampa Bay is 6-3 against New York this season, meaning just one win in those four games would clinch the season series and the tiebreaker. Meanwhile, the Yankees have a much softer landing. Excluding the Rays, they will face the Mets, beginning Friday, along with the Twins, Orioles and Diamondbacks.
With Aaron Judge now back in the mix, the Yankees are confident they can make up some ground. Their pitching department, under pitching coach Kyle Snyder, has been viewed as one of the best in the sport for quite some time. Attrition, though, has been their nemesis.
The recent injury to Shane McClanahan, who went down with forearm tightness on Sept. 4, is the latest example. McClanahan previously dealt with a back injury this summer that kept him out for roughly three weeks until mid-August. The forearm issue, however, should be especially concerning, considering his history.
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