TORONTO — It’s uncertain when the “step on necks” portion of the postseason is supposed to begin for the Yankees, but it sure as heck better be soon.

Baseball’s hottest team entering the playoffs has turned cold up north. It’s not hitting enough and barely pitching at all, and its certainly isn’t stepping on any necks, as Jazz Chisholm Jr. memorably promised would be the Yankees’ October destiny.

Don’t miss Greg Joyce’s text messages from The Bronx and beyond — he’s giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Yankees.

In reality, the Yankees, MLB’s marquee franchise and its regular-season leaders in runs and home runs, are in peril of being ushered out of the playoffs Tuesday following two straight brutal overall performances vs. the Blue Jays — Sunday’s 13-7 loss in Game 2 the latest. The Bombers return to The Bronx to play Game 3 with no room for error at a time they are back playing bad baseball.

Things are looking bleak, to put it mildly, and the Yankees have only themselves to blame. They are being thoroughly outplayed by the team they tied for the top spot in the American League East. They now need three straight wins over a team they’ve beaten in only five of 15 matchups in 2025.