Toronto @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( May 17, 2012 ) NY Yankees 1, Toronto 4

The two most powerful teams in the majors open a three-game series when the Toronto Blue Jays make their first visit of the season to Yankee Stadium. The New York Yankees lead baseball with 142 homers after clubbing four in Sunday’s 10-8 loss to the Angels. Toronto is second in the majors with 130 despite failing to hit one in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Cleveland. The Yankees pace the American League East by eight games over the Baltimore Orioles.

Three of the AL’s top five sluggers are in action. Toronto’s Jose Bautista is tied for second with 27 homers, one behind league-leader Adam Dunn of the White Sox. Blue Jays third baseman Edwin Encarnacion and New York center fielder Curtis Granderson are tied for fourth with 25. Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez ended a 49 at-bat streak without homer by going deep for the 643rd time in his career Sunday. Second baseman Robinson Cano has an 18-game hitting streak, the longest active one in the majors.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Henderson Alvarez (5-7, 4.36 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Phil Hughes (9-7, 4.33)

Alvarez lost to Kansas City in his last outing after winning his previous two starts. He gave up five runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings against the Royals. Alvarez has allowed 17 homers but has given up just one over his last four starts. He yielded five runs in six innings against the Yankees last September while taking a no-decision.

Hughes lost to Boston in his last start after winning six of his previous seven decisions. He gave up five runs (three earned) and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings against the Red Sox. Hughes lost to the Blue Jays on May 17 when he gave up two runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He is 3-4 with a 4.57 ERA in 18 career appearances (11 starts) against Toronto.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays OF Rajai Davis was held out of Sunday’s lineup due to being hitless in 23 straight at-bats.

2. Rodriguez had a multiple RBI game for the first time since June 12, when he hit a two-run blast against the Angels.

3. Toronto’s Adam Lind is batting just .182 with 10 strikeouts in 22 career at-bats against Hughes.