Just two weeks ago, Boston was cruising with a 12-game lead in the division. But after the Kansas City Royals beat the Red Sox 6-5 on Wednesday, and the Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1, the lead is down to seven — the closest it’s been since after games of May 12.
"Are the Yankees back in it?" Boston’s Coco Crisp said. "They were never out of it."
The Red Sox have led the AL East for 95 straight days and still have the biggest lead in any of the six divisions. But the Yankees have won eight of their last 10 games, while the Red Sox are 3-7 in that stretch.
| East | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Away | DIV | Streak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 56 | 38 | .596 | — | 31-18 | 25-20 | 21-11 | Lost 2 |
| NY Yankees | 48 | 44 | .522 | 7 | 29-18 | 19-26 | 14-18 | Won 5 |
| Toronto | 45 | 49 | .479 | 11 | 26-19 | 19-30 | 18-19 | Lost 3 |
| Baltimore | 42 | 52 | .447 | 14 | 22-22 | 20-30 | 14-11 | Lost 1 |
| Tampa Bay | 37 | 56 | .398 | 18 1/2 | 22-27 | 15-29 | 9-17 | Won 2 |