Yankees and Aaron Judge are comfortably at the top of the AL East table

The New York Yankees hold a three-game lead with 12 games remaining, and with each passing day it becomes more likely that they will finish the season atop the American League East.

While they haven't been able to take full advantage of the offensive weakness of a team in their rearview mirror, the Yankees have done just enough to give themselves some breathing room in the American League East — and yes, that's thanks in large part to Aaron Judge.

Judge broke a 16-game home run streak in commanding fashion, hitting a game-winning grand slam on Friday and another home run on Sunday that essentially gave New York a series sweep over the Boston Red Sox. The victories gave the Yankees breathing room against the struggling Baltimore Orioles — and also propelled them to No. 2 in USA TODAY Sports' Power Rankings.

A look at the updated rankings:

1. Philadelphia Phillies (+1)

• The magic number to win the NL East has dropped to six.

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2. New York Yankees (+1)

• Aaron Judge hits his 133rd RBI, a career high. (Oh, that came on his 53rd home run.)

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (-2)

• Tyler Glasnow is officially out for the year. October will be an adventure.