As poorly as the Yankees are playing, it seems Boston and Toronto can not broaden the gap between themselves and New York. The Red Sox could be up 15 games if they had been winning their past few series. It is not uncommon for a team to make up such ground with half a season to go.

The Yankees have an easy stretch (granted, nothing's been easy for them) coming up. They have to make hay while the sun's shining, and go 20-8 or 19-9 during the stretch.