Images in the rear view mirror are closer than they appear. With the injuries to both the Red Sox and Yankees clubs, Toronto has an opportunity to make a name for themselves this week.

The Yankees have lost Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui to injury and Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon are also banged up.

The Sox losses are not as dramatic, but it would appear that its pitching staff is in a state of disarray.

Toronto on the other hand is only 2 1/2 games out of first. And this week, the schedule is in their favor. The Blue Jays face Tampa Bay (currently last in the AL East) then Baltimore (who are a good 7 1/2 games back), while the Red Sox and Yankees will be trying to kill each other Monday through Thursday.

Add the fact that the Red Sox face a good Detriot team this weekend and the Yankees face Oakland next weekend, opportunity knocks.

Do they have enough in the tank? Their offense has proved formidable; starting pitcher Roy Halladay is solid, better than solid actually; the closer B.J. Ryan is almost as good as our boy Papelbon.

TheStar.com says the Blue Jays could roll on the road. I hoping the wheels come off.

This leaves the Red Sox in a must-win situation - two of three from the Tigers and at least break-even on the four-game road trip through New York.

The Tigers pitching staff is talented. It's a little unfortunate that we will not witness the 100 mph fastball of Verlander. However, tonight's matchup should be worth the three-hour committment. Kenny Rogers vs. Curt Schilling, a pitching duel? Well, maybe not, but most interesting indeed.

At 41 years-old, Rogers has been around. He especially likes pitching in Comerica Park where he has a 2.08 ERA this season. Schilling's numbers are acceptable against the Tigers, though when he is away from Fenway his ERA is a whopping 5.30.

Saturday's matchup will pique some interest also when Tim Wakefield meets Jeremy Bonderman. Bonderman is a stud, arguably the Ace of the staff though the numbers may discredit that claim. He's only 24, with three-plus years under his belt. His WHIP is an impressive 1.21.

The loss of Mike Maroth is a painful one for Detroit. He could be gone for two months. In his place, Zach Miner will make his first start. His counterpart will be the struggling Matt Clement. This matchup scares me the most. I hate it when the Sox lineup goes against an unknown, especially when Clement is on the mound.

ESPN calls the three-game series a challenge for the Tigers. I call it the biggest test of the year, especially after losing four of their last five games. They did show a lot of heart last night scoring twice in the ninth to steal one away from Joe Torre and the boys.

Jim Leyland has to be given a lot of credit for turning this team around and quickly. He's not afraid to take chances and will sit anyone including Mr. April Chris Shelton. What's most interesting about this move is the fact, the Tigers have no backup first baseman. Instead they moved Carlos Guillen from the shortstop position.

Funny that on one day I'm cheering for the Tigers; the next, I'm against 'em.

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