The Red Sox and the Yankees begin an important series against one another Thursday in New York. Both teams are five games back of the first-place Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East standings, but the series is a chance for either team to make some headway between second and third place.

Recently, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred noted that the league could realign geographically. FOX Sports outlined a plan that would group four major teams.

As they try to scrap their way back to the top of the AL East, the Yankees have enough to worry about these days.

Right-hander Jordan Hicks continues to struggle, as he allowed two runs in the ninth inning on Monday. The 28-year-old now has a 6.61 ERA in 28 appearances this season and a 7.07 ERA in 15 outings since the Red Sox acquired him in the Rafael Devers trade. However, manager Alex Cora remained committed to Hicks in the postgame presser, via NESN.

Boston loaded the bases with one out in the 10th before a double play ended the threat. The Red Sox had another opportunity with a runner on third with one out in the 11th but couldn’t get him home.

The New York Yankees traded for Ryan McMahon at the trade deadline, and while he is under contract, he may not be in New York for long.

New York Yankees reliever Jonathan Loaisiga suffers elbow soreness in rehab, raising depth concerns ahead of crucial AL East playoff race.

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Samuel Basallo drove in the go-ahead run on a groundout in the 11th inning and the Baltimore Orioles held on to beat the Boston Red Sox 4-3 on Tuesday night after blowing a two-run lead in the ninth.