The Yankees and Blue Jays are set to clash in an AL East showdown that will prove exactly what both teams need to address prior to the trade deadline.

This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

The Yankees head to Toronto feeling better after a strong weekend. They just completed a series win against the Atlanta Braves and improved to 55-44, but consistency remains the issue. Just before the All-Star break,

New York enters the series three games behind the first-place Blue Jays, with just 10 days remaining until the July 31 deadline. This is the start of a pivotal stretch. They play these three in Toronto, followed by three at home against the National League East-leading Philadelphia Phillies, then a four-game set against Tampa Bay.

After opening their post All-Star break schedule with a series at Atlanta, the Yankees arrive in Toronto to start a three-game series Monday against the AL East-leading Blue Jays.

Addison Barger hit a two-run home run, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer added hit solo shots and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the San Francisco Giants 8-6 to complete a three-game sweep and match a franchise record with their 10th consecutive home win.