Toronto at New York 7:05 p.m. ET

The Yankees (85-63) took a one-half game lead over Baltimore in the East by sweeping Wednesday's doubleheader. Ichiro Suzuki went 7 for 8 in the two games, delivering a go-ahead single in the eighth inning of a 2-1 win in the nightcap and a key catch in a 4-2 victory earlier that afternoon.  

Toronto (66-81) assured itself of a second straight non-winning season and appears destined for its first losing year since going 75-87 in 2009. The Blue Jays have dropped six of eight and are 23-38 since the All-Star break as they have fallen into the AL East cellar. 

Aaron Laffey (3-5, 4.55 ERA) has done little in two starts since rejoining the rotation, allowing five runs and eight hits in 8 1-3 innings without receiving a decision. The left-hander was reached for three runs and four hits in 3 2-3 innings - his shortest start this year - Saturday against Boston. 

Laffey lost his only start against the Yankees this year, giving up a three-run homer among five runs overall in 5 2-3 innings of a 5-2 loss Aug. 11. He had a relief stint of 2 2-3 innings Aug. 27, serving up a two-run homer to Nick Swisher as his only hit allowed. 

Designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, who has team highs of 40 homers and 102 RBIs, is 8 for 22 with four doubles and one homer versus Hughes but is uncertain for this game after sitting out Wednesday's doubleheader with a sore big toe. Shortstop Yunel Escobar will complete his three-game suspension Thursday for wearing eye-black stickers containing a homophobic slur written in Spanish. 

Yankees closer Rafael Soriano likely will not be available after throwing 32 pitches to record his 41st and 42nd saves Wednesday. 

Blue Jays are 7-16 in their last 23 road games.
Blue Jays are 1-4 in their last 5 overall.

Blue Jays are 2-8 in their last 10 games as an underdog of +201 or greater.

Blue Jays are 1-5 in their last 6 games vs. a right-handed starter.

Blue Jays are 0-4 in their last 4 games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.

Blue Jays are 1-4 in Laffeys last 5 starts..

Blue Jays are 0-4 in Laffeys last 4 starts following a team loss in their previous game.

Yankees are 4-0 in their last 4 games as a home favorite.
Yankees are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. American League East.
Yankees are 4-0 in their last 4 games as a favorite.
Yankees are 4-0 in their last 4 overall.
Yankees are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. a team with a losing record.
Yankees are 4-0 in their last 4 home games.
Yankees are 49-12 in their last 61 games as a home favorite of -201 or greater.
Yankees are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a win.
Yankees are 14-2 in Hughes' last 16 starts as a home favorite of -201 or greater.
Yankees are 30-6 in Hughes' last 36 home starts with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
Yankees are 4-1 in Hughes' last 5 starts vs. American League East.
Yankees are 24-7 in Hughes' last 31 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Yankees are 39-13 in Hughes' last 52 starts as a home favorite.
Yankees are 38-13 in Hughes' last 51 home starts.

Yankees are 6-1 in Hughes' last 7 home starts vs. Blue Jays.
Yankees are 9-4 in Hughes' last 13 starts vs. Blue Jays.
Blue Jays are 3-8 in the last 11 meetings.
Blue Jays are 5-16 in the last 21 meetings in New York.

Hughes will be the man today. Yankees have quietly won 6 of their last 7. I believe it goes to 7 of 8 tonight after they roll over the B-Jays and their sub-par pitcher Laffey. This guy continues to impress me with how bad he is. I think we get the same thing tonight as we've see all year. NY should win this one 7-2. Let's take the Yankees in the 1H and on the RL. Good Luck



1H Yankees -½-135
Yankees -1½-120

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