Key things to watch for in today's games
The battle for the top spot in the American League East is reaching a fever pitch as the Blue Jays and Yankees duke it out. Toronto comes into Thursday's series finale against the A's as the hottest team in baseball, having won 10 straight.
The Blue Jays will hand the ball to reliable left-hander Mark Buehrle. Over his last 12 starts, he has posted a 2.13 ERA and a 6-1 record. He went at least six innings in all but one of those outings and is coming off a start against the Twins in which he threw just 83 pitches over seven innings for the win.
However, getting a win against A's ace Sonny Gray could prove to be quite difficult. The right-hander has tossed three complete games in his last six starts. One of those complete games came on Friday against the Astros, in which he bested Astros ace Dallas Keuchel by allowing just one run on five hits.
Here's a look at a few more intriguing games to keep an eye on Thursday.
Yankees try to rebound: NYY @ CLE, 7:10 p.m. ET
The Yankees will look to bounce back from a tough stretch in the series finale against the Indians. Nathan Eovaldi takes the hill for New York, while Trevor Bauer gets the nod for Cleveland.
The Yankees right-hander took a no-decision in his last start against the Blue Jays, allowing one run on five hits in 6 1/3 innings. In his only other start against the Indians, Eovaldi allowed one run in seven innings, but took the loss.
While Bauer got a win in his last start against the Twins, it wasn't without its fair share of struggles. He allowed four runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings, but allowed a season-high three home runs. That brought his total to 14 home runs in his last nine starts, a span in which he owns a 5.27 ERA.
Video: TOR@NYY: Eovaldi twirls 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball
ALDS Rematch: LAA @ KC, 8:10 p.m. ET
After losing all three games to the Royals in April, the Angels get a chance at redemption in Kansas City as the two clubs meet for a second series since the Royals beat the Angels in last year's ALDS.
Right-hander Garrett Richards get the call for the Halos. While Richards threw a quality start in his last outing against the Orioles, allowing three runs on seven hits, he was charged with his fourth loss in his last six games. He's been hurt by the long ball as of late, allowing six home runs in that span.
Royals right-hander Jeremy Guthrie has also had his fair share of struggles recently. While it's been a hard season for Guthrie, his last five starts have been especially frustrating. In his last five outings, Guthrie has a 7.14 ERA and has given up 48 hits, including seven home runs in just 29 innings.
NLDS Rematch: WAS @ SF, 10:15 p.m. ET
After the Nationals swept a three-game series against the Giants in early July, the two teams will square off again in a rematch of last year's NLDS, which San Francisco won in four games.
Stephen Strasburg showed no signs of rust in his first start off the disabled list on Saturday against the Rockies. The right-hander dominated through seven innings, allowing one run on three hits and fanning a season-high 12 batters for the win.
Meanwhile, Ryan Vogelsong gets the nod for the Giants. In his first start in nearly a month, Vogelsong allowed three runs on six hits in four innings against the Cubs for the loss.