The lead story: The Yankees cannot figure it out. The Blue Jays are on the verge of a four-game series sweep after a 5-2 win Saturday in the Bronx. They touched up ace Gerrit Cole during the game and manager Aaron Boone melted down after it. The Yankees have lost three straight games, six of their last seven, nine of their last 11 and 15 of their last 19.
The sidebars: The Mets split a day-night doubleheader in Philadelphia, beating Zach Wheeler and the Phillies in Game 1 before dropping the second game. And the Yankees are set to retire Paul O’Neill’s No. 21 on Sunday before they close out the series finale with Toronto.
The standings: The Yankees (73-48) have a seven-game lead on the Blue Jays in the AL East (six in the loss column). Their lead on the Guardians for the No. 2 seed in the AL is 8.5 games (eight in the loss column).
The Mets (78-44) have a three-game lead on the Braves in the NL East, both in the standings and loss column. Their lead on the Cardinals for the No. 2 seed in the NL is 8.5 games (seven in the loss column).
The schedule: The Mets close out their series at the Phillies at 1:35 p.m. (SNY). The Yankees close out their series with the Blue Jays at 1:35 p.m. (YES). And the Giants host the Bengals in a preseason game at 7 p.m. (NBC, NFL Network).
MORE ON ESNY:
• Yankees’ Aaron Boone has no answers. That could become dangerous for him
• 4 things to watch in Sunday’s Giants-Bengals preseason game
• Jets QB Joe Flacco compares Elijah Moore to former NFL great
• Mike Francesa fires off some Yankees missives as tank continues
• Jim Kaat retires from broadcast booth after 1 more Yankees call
• Giants’ Saquon Barkley seems ready to go down swinging
James Kratch can be reached at james.kratch@xlmedia.com
