Blue Jays continue ascent, tied atop AL East

In 34 days, the Toronto Blue Jays have overcome an eight-game deficit to roar into a tie for the top spot in the American League East.

TORONTO – In 34 days, the Toronto Blue Jays have overcome an eight-game deficit to roar into a tie for the top spot in the American League East.

In their ascension to catch the New York Yankees, the Blue Jays (48-38) have taken the first three outings of a four-game set against the Bronx Bombers (48-38), including a wild 11-9 win on Wednesday.

“It feels great, but the goal is to keep winning,” said Toronto’s 26-year-old slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., named the AL’s starting first baseman for his fifth trip to the All-Star Game.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider added, “I go back to the way that we’ve done it, with guys being out, other guys contributing, and just putting a focus on trying to win every series. We need to continue to do that.”

The Blue Jays began turning around their season in early May, going 32-18 since May 8 for a .640 win percentage. Only the Houston Astros have performed at a better clip with a .680 win percentage in the same stretch.

Since falling eight games behind the Yankees on May 28, Toronto has gone 21-10 in its run to the top for the first time in Schneider’s time at the helm.

“I didn’t think of that,” Schneider said. “But we’ve got another game (Thursday). That’s basically it.”

Chris Bassitt (7-4) will start for Toronto in the series finale, while Clarke Schmidt (4-4) will pitch for the visitors. With the Blue Jays bullpen taxed from the first three games in this series, Bassitt will need to be at his best.