Yankees announce lineup for series opener vs. Jays with 3 young cornerstones on the bench

The New York Yankees head back to Yankee Stadium with momentum but face enormous pressure in their chase for the AL East crown.

They arrive after a gritty series win over the Houston Astros, a team that never gives victories away without resistance.

Now, two pivotal matchups await: the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers, each representing a different kind of challenge.

For New York, sweeping the Blue Jays would pull them even at the top of the AL East standings, though Toronto’s tiebreaker advantage complicates matters significantly.

That means even perfection this weekend doesn’t guarantee first place, a reality that adds urgency to every upcoming at-bat.

Manager Aaron Boone’s lineup card for Friday’s opener brought plenty of intrigue, highlighted by Aaron Judge’s long-awaited