NEW YORK � If you think the New York Yankees, on pace to win 107 games, have shifted their regular season into cruise control, think again.
They have a lot to play for.
While they're competing with the Houston Astros for the best record in the American League, they're also keeping an eye out on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Win more games than L.A. and the potential seventh game of the World Series could be played at Yankee Stadium.
But first things first. After completing their season dominance over Baltimore with a 6-5 win on Wednesday afternoon before a matinee crowd of 43,909, the Yankees begin a four-game home series against the Cleveland Indians, a potential playoff opponent, on Thursday night.
No more Orioles. After the Indians, the Yankees go west, challenging playoff possible Oakland and the Dodgers, an interleague treat. When they return home, they have another series with the Athletics.
There's no truth to the rumor that the Yankees petitioned MLB to let them play more games against downtrodden Baltimore. This was their 16th straight win over Baltimore, and they won the season series 17-2. They hit 61 home runs against the Orioles, a major league record for homers versus on opponent in a single season.
The last homer was Gary Sanchez's three-run shot over the center-field wall, capping a four-run first inning that gave the Yankees a 4-1 lead. Orioles starter Dylan Bundy didn't allow another hit until the sixth inning, when Sanchez singled and Gleyber Torres doubled to knock him out of the game. Mike Ford's two-run, two-out single off reliever Richard Bleier gave the Yankees a 6-2 lead.
They needed all the runs after Baltimore put together a three-run rally in the seventh against relievers Luis Cessa and Adam Ottavino. That forced the Yankees to go to Zack Britton and Aroldis Chapman for the eighth and ninth innings.
They both did their jobs. Britton came back from a lead-off walk to retire three straight batters, and Chapman recorded his 33rd save in 38 chances. He allowed a two-out single by Renato Nunez, but then struck out Johathan Villar.
The Yankees squeezed five innings out of starter J.A. Happ, who allowed two runs and six hits and struck out six. He threw 95 pitches, 58 for strikes. The lefthander heard some boos in his 33-pitch first inning when he was touched for a run before getting out of a bases-loaded jam by striking out Jace Peterson.
Most importantly, Happ didn't give up a home run. He's given up a career-high 29 on the season, tied for fourth-most in the majors.
"You feel for every player you go out there with," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before the game. "We're just trying to get him through it. This season has been hard on him. It has come down to the long ball hurting him."
Boone gave an optimistic injury update on slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who's been limited to 31 at-bats (.290), with one homer and seven RBI because of several ailments.
Stanton, who's nursing a right knee sprain, is running 75-85% on the treadmill, according to his manager. When he reaches 90 percent, he'll start running outdoors. In the meantime, Stanton is hitting in the indoor cages.
The next week or two will help determine when Stanton might be able to finally join the team.
