Toronto @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 21, 2013 ) Toronto 2, NY Yankees 4

If the New York Yankees reach the American League playoffs, they might want to send the Toronto Blue Jays a thank-you card. New York has dominated its AL East rival all season, and goes for a sweep of their four-game series Thursday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. Alfonso Soriano's eighth-inning home run propelled the Yankees to a 4-2 victory Wednesday night, improving their season record against the Blue Jays to 11-1.

Andy Pettitte will be tasked with helping New York complete its third straight home sweep against the Blue Jays. Pettitte has labored for most of the season but has managed some recent success, allowing four runs (one earned) over 11 innings in his previous two turns. He'll be opposed by fellow southpaw J.A. Happ, who has had back-to-back solid starts after struggling in his immediate return from taking a batted ball in the head against Tampa Bay.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (3-2, 4.93 ERA) vs. Yankees LH Andy Pettitte (8-9, 4.39)

Happ's return from a three-month absence was a shaky one, but he has stabilized in two starts since. The 30-year-old Illinois native limited Oakland to a run on three hits over seven sensational innings, and earned a win in St. Petersburg - the scene of his horrific injury - with 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball. "(I) probably haven't pitched the best (there) and I was looking forward to having the opportunity to come and try to change that up a little bit," he said after the game.

Pettitte's last three starts prove that baseball is difficult to predict. The 41-year-old lasted 2 2/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox before escaping major damage in 4 1/3 innings versus the powerhouse Detroit Tigers and cruising to a 10-3 victory over the Red Sox in his last outing. Pettitte is quite familiar with the Blue Jays, owning a 23-13 mark with a 4.09 ERA in 44 starts and one relief appearance against them.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez didn't play in Wednesday's contest. He struck out five times in Tuesday's doubleheader.

2. Blue Jays OF Rajai Davis is 8-for-15 with a homer in his career against Pettitte.

3. New York is 40-18 in its last 58 games against teams with a losing road record.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Blue Jays 3