Yankees’ AL East battle won’t get any easier in coming seasons

BOSTON — The Yankees last year won the AL East by seven games.

The last time they were within seven games of first place this season was June 4, spending the rest of the season looking way up at the Rays and then Orioles — and now trying to avoid a last-place finish for the first time since 1990.

There is no quick fix for much of what has plagued the Yankees this season, and in the meantime, the Orioles and Rays look especially well-positioned to continue being a force at the top of the div...
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