New York @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 11, 2019 ) NY Yankees 1, Toronto 0

Even as the New York Yankees move closer to wrapping up the American League East title, health issues continue to bedevil the team as three more players exited Thursday's doubleheader sweep in Detroit. New York will be without catcher Gary Sanchez and designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion when they open a three-game series at the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night.

The Yankees won their sixth consecutive series by hitting 10 homers in the three-game set against Detroit but Sanchez (groin), Encarnacion (oblique) and left-hander J.A. Happ (biceps tendinitis) were all sent back to New York for further tests. Luke Voit and Gio Urshela became the sixth and seven players to reach 20 homers on the season, matching a franchise record set by the Yankees in 2009 and boosting their major league-record total to 280. New York has won 13 of its last 17 overall and is 8-5 this season versus Toronto, which was denied a three-game sweep of Boston with a 7-4 setback in Thursday's series finale. Rookie Cavan Biggio was 6-for-10 with six runs scored against the Red Sox for the Blue Jays, who have lost eight of 10.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, YES (New York), TVA, Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (10-8, 4.53 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Anthony Kay (0-0, 3.18)

Tanaka lasted only four innings at Boston on Sunday but managed to escape with a no-decision despite giving up four runs and eight hits while striking out only two. The 30-year-old from Japan had permitted two runs or fewer in four of his previous five turns, including a magnificent outing in Toronto on Aug. 11 in which he blanked the Blue Jays on three hits over eight innings in a 1-0 victory. Justin Smoak is 3-for-29 against Tanaka, who is 13-5 with a 2.69 ERA in 20 career starts versus Toronto.

Kay acquitted himself well in his major league debut at Tampa Bay on Sept. 7, racking up eight strikeouts and allowing two runs and four hits over 5 2/3 innings. "He's a bulldog on the mound. He pitches inside, he changes speeds. He did a great job," manager Charlie Montoyo said of the former first-round pick, who was acquired from the New York Mets in the deal for Marcus Stroman. The 24-year-old made seven starts at Triple-A Buffalo, posting a 2-2 record and 2.50 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees LHP Aroldis Chapman needs one save to match his career high of 38 set in 2012 and 2013.

2. Toronto released LHP Clayton Richard on Thursday.

3. Yankees RF Aaron Judge hit his 22nd homer in Thursday's nightcap, 13 of which have put New York ahead.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Blue Jays 2