TORONTO – Between the trade deadline, 17 games in 17 days within a wider run of 30 in 31, capped by a challenging homestand against the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, this just completed stretch could easily have broken the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Instead, by “embracing what we're good at right now,” in the words of John Schneider, they produced a run of 13 wins in 20 games and a 5-2 homestand against a pair of AL East rivals capped by Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 loss in 10 innings to the New York Yankees. “Sometimes it doesn't look the sexiest,” the manager added, “but we're OK with that” especially after they’ve not only pulled themselves into the thick of a congested wild-card race, but restored control of their own fate, too.

A needed off-day arrives Monday before........

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