One year ago Tuesday, the New York Yankees were eliminated from the postseason on a dreary day in front of their home fans. Following a one-year absence, the Yankees are returning to the playoffs and get their first chance at clinching a second American League East title in three seasons Tuesday night when they host the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles can clinch the AL's top wild-card spot with a win and a loss by either the Kansas City Royals or Minnesota Twins on Tuesday.
The Yankees (92-64) enter their final homestand with a magic number of one and a season-high six-game lead over the Orioles (86-70), who won the division last season with a 101-61 record while New York finished 82-80. New York has held the division lead since Sept. 7 and for all but four days since Aug.
20. The Yankees are returning home with 12 wins in 16 games since dropping two of three at Texas from Sept. 2-4.
"We're focused," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "I think everyone in that room knows what's at stake and what the mission is, where we're at in the calendar and the opportunity in front of us. I think guys are just ready to do what we've got to do to win ballgames and give ourselves a chance come October.
" New York is attempting to clinch after going 5-1 on a six-game trip against the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics. The Yankees clinched a playoff spot for the seventh time in eight seasons on Wednesday and scored 17 runs in their last two games of a three-game sweep at Oakland. Aaron Jud.