With an 8-5 win over the New York Yankees on Thursday, the Blue Jays completed a sweep of their division rival and took over sole possession of first place in the process. Their record sits at 49-38 with the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays each one game behind them at 48-39.

After nine rounds of Wednesday night’s heavyweight fight, the judges have scored the bout 11-9 for… the Toronto Blue Jays. This is what American League East baseball is supposed to look like, haymakers flying back and forth in a game that had absolutely everything.

The Toronto Blue Jays sit in a first-place tie atop the AL East with the New York Yankees. Barely a month ago, the Jays were eight games back. The Rays were seven back; now they're only half a game out.