Little to choose between AL foes

It’s surely coming down to crunch time for the Blue Jays and the Yankees and there is not really much separating the teams that surprisingly sit atop the AL East. While the Jays host the Baltimore Orioles this weekend, the Yankees entertain the Tampa Bay Rays, with each team keeping a watchful eye on the scoreboard. Ever since the Jays shut out the Yankees on Aug. 9 to sweep a series in New York, no more than two games have separated the teams. And they play each other seven times in 14 days, starting Sept. 10.

First, let’s compare the schedules. The Jays have 12 games at home and 17 on the road. The Yankees have 18 at home and 12 on the road. In games to be played outside the division, the Jays are at Atlanta for three, while the Yankees make the short subway trip to face the Mets and later host the White Sox for four. The schedule advantage definitely goes to the Yankees. But what else?

The seven games between the two teams could be huge, or, if the teams are as evenly matched as it seems, if they split and go 4-3 or 3-4 in that septet of head-to-head games, it would then come down to the rest of the schedule. So let’s compare the Jays and Yanks in eight key categories:

ROTATION

When the Jays obtained David Price at the deadline, it would have seemed at the time that Toronto should immediately be favoured over the Yankees, with veterans R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle pitching well, with Marco Estrada consistently going deep into games giving the Jays a chance to win and with Drew Hutchison on the home front. But, hey, not so fast.

The Yankees made a great winter deal to obtain right-hander Nate Eovaldi, while rookie Luis Severino could be a difference-making addition for the stretch run. As long as Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda stay healthy, then Ivan Nova is a decent option as fifth starter. Advantage: Even.

BULLPEN

The Jays have created the feel of a Royals-type, pass-the-baton, lateinning relief corps, but it’s now into September and they are counting on two youngsters at the back end of the pen in 20-year-old Roberto Osuna and 23-year-old Aaron Sanchez. They have just one left-hander they can count on, Brett Cecil, with veteran presence provided by LaTroy Hawkins and Mark Lowe.

The Yankees back end includes a man the Jays coveted in the offseason, left-hander Andrew Miller, and the fabulous Dellin Betances. They have two more lefties in Justin Wilson and Chasen Shreve. Advan

tage: Yankees.

CATCHER

If the Jays advance, Russell Martin will have been with four different teams that went to the playoffs in his first season with them as the regular catcher. While Dioner Navarro spent the season hoping to be traded somewhere he could catch every day, he has to be happy to have a chance at the playoffs.

The Yankees think Brian McCann is one of the best catchers in the AL, with a decent backup option in John Ryan Murphy. Advantage: Jays.

CORNER INFIELD/DH

Think about the quartet of Jays: MVP candidate Josh Donaldson at third base, the red-hot Edwin Encarnacion, Justin Smoak at first base and hard-hitting Chris Colabello as an option. There may not be a team in the majors to match.

The Yankees have a fast-fading Alex Rodriguez, whose adrenaline seems diminished by the dog days of August. Mark Teixeira had a great start but has been injured often, giving an opportunity to Greg Bird to prove himself at first. At third base, Chase Headley is reliable, if not spectacular. Advantage: Jays.

MIDDLE INFIELD

Before the arrival of Troy Tulowitzki, the Jays had struggled defensively up the middle, but with Tulo and Ryan Goins — Devon Travis is likely done for the year — the Jays have one of the best keystone combos around. The pitching has become far better as a result.

The Yankees have 25-year-old Didi Gregorius at shortstop, who has been a defensive upgrade over Derek Jeter, but Stephen Drew is an older, less-talented and higher-paid version of Goins at second base. YES celebrated on TV when Drew rapped out a hit in a 20-6 rout of the Braves to edge his average above .200. Advantage: Jays.

OUTFIELD

The Jays solidified their garden defence with the acquisition of Ben Revere to play left field. Kevin Pillar is a human highlight reel, but falls into some offensive ruts and September is a different animal when you are playing for a contender. Jose Bautista is a consistent weapon but an early-season shoulder issue still lingers when he has to unleash a strong throw.

The Yankees have seen a recent rebound from Carlos Beltran ever since he destroyed the Jays in backto-back games at the Rogers Centre. Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury are known entities — Gardner was an all-star for the first time this year — but neither runs as much as he once did. Advantage: Even.

MANAGER

This is the type of team and clubhouse that Alex Anthopoulos believed he had assembled and that would be perfect for John Gibbons to manage when he re-hired him back in 2013. Gibbons does not need to concern himself with issues of clubhouse control and motivation.

Joe Girardi manages in the biggest media market and does it quite well. He is ready for the extra layers of coverage and knows how to handle pressure. Not sure that he’s any better an in-game manager, but many players he has were starters elsewhere. Advantage: Yankees.

INTANGIBLES

The Jays have the huge advantage of the fans at home and the funky turf. The atmosphere at Yankee Stadium is more of a been-there-done-that, while Jays fans are young, hardpartying and excited. They energize their players when the place is full.

Advantage: Jays.

FINAL SCOREBOARD

Jays 4, Yankees 2, Even 2.