Blue Jays vs. Yankees score: Live updates as AL East rivals open key series in

The New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays will begin a pivotal three-game series on Tuesday that will go a long way in determining the American League wild-card race. The Yankees will enter the contest a game up on the Boston Red Sox for the top spot and two games up on the Blue Jays overall. The Seattle Mariners, meanwhile, are 1 1/2 games back.

A Yankees series win would make it difficult for the Blue Jays to catch up, but Toronto will send ace Hyun-Jin Ryu to the mound in the series opener as the lefty returns from the injured list. In 29 starts this season, he’s posted a 4.34 ERA (101 ERA+) and a 3.80 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Yankees will counter right right-hander Jameson Taillon. Taillon has a 4.41 ERA (97 ERA+) and 3.24 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 27 starts. Here are five things to know about the series.

Below you’ll find the AL wild-card standings entering Tuesday, as well as key scores from the night’s action.

AL wild-card standings

1. Yankees — 89-67 (+1 G)
2. Red Sox — 88-68
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3. Blue Jays — 87-69 (1 GB)
4. Mariners — 87-70 (1.5 GB)
5. Athletics — 85-72 (3.5 GB)

Key AL wild-card games, scores

Red Sox at Orioles, 7:05 p.m. ET
Yankees at Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m. ET
A’s at Mariners, 10:10 p.m. ET

Follow along below for updates, highlights, analysis and more from key moments in the AL wild-card race from Tuesday night.