With several series still remaining for both teams, the AL East won't be decided in this weekend's series between the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees.
But the outcome of the series may determine what kind of battle we will have to look ahead to over the final few weeks of the regular season.
Entering tonight's series opener at Yankee Stadium, New York's lead over Tampa Bay in the AL East is 4.5 games.
Both teams started this week 3-0, but yesterday, the Yankees' four-game win streak came to an end against the Minnesota Twins, who avoided a four-game sweep and helped t he Rays, who were off, gain a half-game.