USA Today via Reuters
Sep 28, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees shortstop Gio Urshela (29) and second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) celebrate a win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 28, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees shortstop Gio Urshela (29) and second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) celebrate a win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The race for the MLB playoffs is well and truly on in the American League. While the division champions have already been crowned, four teams are in the hunt for the two wildcard spots that represent the last opportunity to take part in the postseason. Those teams are the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners.
Following yesterday’s round of matches in the regular season, the Yankees are currently the closest to the finish line.
New York Yankees need just one win to make the MLB Playoffs this year
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Prior to yesterday’s matches, the Yankees had a 91-68 record, which was the fourth best in the American League. However, they faced the AL East champions, the Tampa Bay Rays in the first of their final three-game series in the regular season yesterday.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 1, 2021; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes (65) pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Despite giving their best efforts, the Yankees suffered a 4-3 loss to the Rays, which changed their record to 91-69. However, they received some relief from the Seattle Mariners, who suffered a 1-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
The loss meant the Mariners slipped to an 89-71 record, the same as the Toronto Blue Jays. More importantly, this reduced the Yankees’ magic number to just one.
The #Mariners lose, so the #Yankees' magic number is 1 to clinch a wild-card berth. They are 1 up over the #RedSox, and 2 up over the #BlueJays and #Mariners.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 2, 2021
This means that out of the two games that remain, they need to beat the Rays at least once to secure their spot in the American League wildcard game. Currently, the Yankees are one game ahead of the Red Sox, and two ahead of the Mariners and Blue Jays.
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AL wildcard game winner to face the Rays in the playoffs
Along with clinching the AL East division, the Rays also boast the best record in the entire AL. This means they will face the winner of the wildcard game on Wednesday, October 6.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 1, 2021; Bronx, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco (5) hits a game winning two run single against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
With just two games remaining in the regular season, everything is on the line. Can the Yankees score that one win which gives them the wildcard spot? Or will the most iconic MLB team choke at the death?
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