The MLB has played host to some of the greatest rivalries in sports. From the classic rivalries, such as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, to the modern-day competitiveness of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros, baseball has had no shortage of heated moments between clubs.

The American League East, in particular, has featured some tense moments between the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays in recent years. However, there's a new rivalry on the block, one that promises to bring excitement, star power and plenty of tension.

The Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays look like they're about to take part in the MLB's next great rivalry. You want star power? How about Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and ace right-hander Gerrit Cole? Or Blue Jays' slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and stud pitcher Kevin Gausman?

There's even tension between the two clubs, as words have been exchanged and batters plunked so far in 2022- and the Yankees and Blue Jays have only played a pair of series.

With the star power, tension and high stakes in the American League East, it's not hard to imagine these two teams creating some memorable MLB moments throughout the season.

Yankees-Blue Jays will be the next great rivalry in the MLB. Here's why.

2 Reasons Why Yankees-Blue Jays Is Next Great MLB Rivalry

2. From Judge to Guerrero, the Yankees and Blue Jays have stars for days

If you're looking for a star-studded rivalry, look no further than the Yankees and Blue Jays. Judge. Guerrero. Cole. Gausman. Luis Severino. Alex Manoah. Giancarlo Stanton. Bo Bichette.

These are some of the very best MLB players- and they all just so happen to play for the Yankees and Blue Jays. And to no one's surprise, the stars have come out to play this year for both sides. Guerrero clubbed three homers at Yankee Stadium back in April, single-handedly defeating New York while earning the praise of his MLB Hall of Fame father.

Judge belted a three-run, walk-off homer against Toronto on Tuesday night, capping off an incredible Yankees' comeback. On the pitching side of things, Severino tossed a gem for the Yanks in his first outing of the season against Toronto, pitching five shutout innings with six strikeouts.

For the Blue Jays, young ace Manoah continues to have the Yankees' number, as he has allowed just one earned run over 12 innings of work against them this season.

Given these impressive performances, it's easy to envision the Yankees' and Blue Jays' stars putting on a show in even higher stakes games, such as the postseason.

MLB fans should buckle up, as there are bound to be more back-page worthy performances from both of these teams as the season goes on.

1. There's already tension bubbling between the Yankees and Blue Jays 

If a tense rivalry is what MLB fans want- and it's certainly drawn big crowds in the past- then the Yankees-Blue Jays budding rivalry won't disappoint. Just last year, the Yankees narrowly edged the Blue Jays for a second-place tie with the Boston Red Sox, effectively bouncing them from just their fourth playoff berth since the 2003 season.

That came just after the Blue Jays dealt the Yankees' playoff hopes a serious blow earlier in September, sweeping them in four games at Yankee Stadium. In short, big games are already no stranger to either of these squads.

That trend has continued into 2022- with some very tense moments along with it. Back in April, Manoah and Severino exchanged pleasantries after a fastball rode up and in on Blue Jays hitter Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Cole was even involved in the exchange.

On Tuesday night, whether intentional or not, Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson was belted in the arm by Jays reliever Yimi Garcia. Donaldson had reportedly had words with Jays catcher Tyler Heineman, with the umpires interpreting intent on the part of Garcia.

Immediately after that, Jonathan Loaisiga threw a fastball near the chin of Bo Bichette, resulting in the ejection of manager Charlie Montoyo. The Blue Jays expressed frustration with the umpires after the game, though the seeds of a fiery rivalry were already planted with the Yankees on Tuesday night.

With just five games separating these two teams in the AL East, the remainder of the MLB season promises to feature plenty more meaningful games between these two sides.

If the Yankees and Blue Jays are already jawing at each other in April and May- when the games mean far less- what will they do in August, September and possibly even October?