The New York Yankees have been a different team since Alex Rodriguez has returned.
The Yankees treaded water with most of their stars out of the lineup, but as the dog days arrived, so did the cavalries. The Captain, Derek Jeter is once again manning shortstop, Curtis Granderson is roaming the outfield, A-Rod is back at third base, and Alfonso Soriano is once again in pinstripes, swatting home runs.
The Yankees have taken back-to-back exciting games from the Chicago White Sox, improving their record to 75-64 and moving to within 2.5 games of the Tampa Bay Rays for a second wildcard spot.
The Yankees also have a crucial four game set at Yankee Stadium kicking off tonight against the Boston Red Sox (84-57), who lead the American League East Division and are eight games in front of the Bronx Bombers.
The Rays got a stellar effort from Jeremy Hellickson last night against the Los Angeles Angels to stay 2.5 games ahead of the Yankees, but this hunt likely won't end until the season's final days and nights. From September 24th to the 26th, the Rays and Yankees will play three final games that could very likely determine whether or not one of them reaches the postseason.
Both teams need to worry about the Baltimore Orioles (73-65), who are four games out of that second wildcard. Following their four-game tango with the Red Sox, they will battle the O's in another four game stretch, with a chance to bury them for good in 2013.
Meanwhile, in the American League West the Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics just finished a series that did nothing but further muddy the picture. After their three latest tilts, they have identical won-loss records (80-59). Whichever club loses out on a division crown will most likely be the top wildcard, and host one of the Yankees, Rays, Orioles and Cleveland Indians group.
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