"They've been nondescript and largely underwhelming all year. Suddenly, though, the New York Yankees have a puncher's chance at a prime time spot in the playoffs. The Yankees finished off their season series with the first-place Toronto Blue Jays by winning two of three at Yankee Stadium and suddenly, with 19 games left in the season, are just two games out of the American League East lead."
"Couple that with the putrid play of contenders in the AL West and the East champion is virtually assured a top two seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs. It's all surprising stuff for a Yankee team that was 6 ½ games out just two weeks ago, and in danger of missing the playoffs altogether. Now, they've surged three spots in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings, reaching No. 6."
The New York Yankees were nondescript and underwhelming for much of the season but have climbed to within two games of the AL East lead with 19 games remaining. New York won two of three against first-place Toronto at Yankee Stadium to close the gap. The Yankees were 6½ games back two weeks ago and faced a real threat of missing the playoffs before the surge. Weak performances in the AL West increase the likelihood that the East champion secures a top-two seed and a first-round bye. New York moved up to No. 6 in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings. The Yankees still face Detroit and Boston before finishing with seven games versus Baltimore and three each against the White Sox and Minnesota, while Toronto holds the season-series tiebreaker.
Read at Yahoo Sports
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