Blue Jays magic number: Yankees gain share of first place

At least the Blue Jays have company in their recent struggles.

Just last week, on Sept. 17, Toronto had a comfortable four-game lead in the American League East on the New York Yankees. The Detroit Tigers were slipping but still up 4.5 games over the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central, and the Houston Astros had a half-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the West.

Seven days later, the Yankees have caught up to the Jays after Toronto fell 7-1 to the Boston Red Sox and New York beat the Chicago White Sox 8-1.

Seattle has overtaken Houston, holding a four-game lead in the West on the Astros heading into action Wednesday. Cleveland has leapfrogged over Detroit for the Central Division lead, in what’s seen as one of the biggest collapses — and comebacks — in recent history.

Toron