Toronto @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2015 ) Toronto 11, NY Yankees 5

The Toronto Blue Jays flexed their muscles and sent a message to the New York Yankees by swatting five home runs in the opener of their four-game showdown for supremacy in the American League East. The Blue Jays stretched their division lead to 2 1/2 games with Friday's rout, but the host Yankees have a chance to cut into the deficit in Saturday's doubleheader.

Aside from taking their lumps in the series opener, New York absorbed a major blow earlier Friday upon learning that first baseman Mark Teixeira was done for the season after an MRI exam revealed a fracture in his leg. "You can't really put into words how disappointed I am," said Teixeira, who has a team-high 31 homers. "I feel like this team has a chance to win a World Series. I really do. And not to be able to be on the field during that run is really tough to take." Toronto third baseman Josh Donaldson belted his 38th homer Friday and is 10-for-19 with five RBIs and five runs scoring during a five-game hitting streak. Ex-Yankee Russell Martin was 0-for-12 in his previous four games before clubbing a pair of homers and driving in four runs as part of a three-hit night.

TV: 4:35 p.m. ET, SNET (Toronto), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (2014: 11-6, 3.65 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Ivan Nova (6-7, 4.50)

Stroman was not expected to pitch this season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL in March, but he'll come off the 60-day disabled list to make his fourth career start versus the Yankees. Stroman made the final start of his rookie season at Yankee Stadium, posting the victory by giving up two runs and eight hits over six innings. Overall, he struggled away from home last year with a 4-4 record and 5.60 ERA.

Nova halted a three-start losing streak by limiting Tampa Bay to three runs and six hits over six innings on Sunday - the sixth straight start in which he has allowed at last three runs. The 28-year-old was tagged for 13 runs and 20 hits over 15 innings during his three-game skid. Nova gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings in a loss to the Blue Jays on Aug. 8 before winning at Toronto six days later with seven innings of three-run ball.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays DH Edwin Encarnacion is three RBIs shy of reaching 100 for the third time in four seasons.

2. Yankees SS Didi Gregorius is 22-for-53 with four homers and 18 RBIs in his last 14 games.

3. Blue Jays LHP Brett Cecil set a franchise record with his 26th consecutive scoreless appearance.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Blue Jays 4