MLB Playoffs 2012: Yankees clinch playoff berth as Rangers win

The New York Yankees clinched a postseason berth Sunday night, as the Texas Rangers defeated the Los Angeles Angels, 8-7, at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The victory helped the Rangers (93-66) clinch the American League West Division crown and eliminated any chance of the Angels (88-71) catching the Yankees (92-67) or Baltimore Orioles (92-67) for one of the two AL Wild Card spots. The Oakland Athletics (91-68) have a three-game lead on Anaheim and the Tampa Bay Rays for the final Wild Card berth.

The Rangers' division-clinching win came just hours after the Yankees earned a come-from-behind victory, 9-6, over the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite the post-season berth, New York will be still looking to collect the AL East Division pennant and avoid the one-game (anything-can-happen) playoff that Wild Card teams need to play in to move onto the AL Division Series.

To do so, the Yankees will probably need to sweep their long-time rivals, the Boston Red Sox, in their season-ending three-game series at Yankee Stadium and hope for a loss from the Orioles. On Monday, Baltimore begins a three-game set at the Rays, who will be looking to end the Orioles' four-game winning streak.

Mark Teixeira expected to return to Yankees line-up on Monday

New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is likely to return to the lineup Monday for the first time since Sept. 8, when he tried to come back — apparently too early — from a calf injury. The Yankees hope Teixeira can provide them with a little extra spark in their final series of the season, as they try to hold off the Baltimore Orioles in the race for the AL East title.

The Yankees play that final series against the Red Sox, who, at this point, would love nothing more than to keep their hated rivals from the postseason. Teixeira, in 120 games, has hit 23 home runs with 83 RBI and a .255 batting average. Despite underwhelming numbers, he draws more attention from opposing pitchers, especially left-handers. Here's what Joe Girardi told ESPN New York about Tex's potential return:

"It has affected us," Girardi said. "It seemed like everyone was throwing left-handers against us, and (Teixeira) is a huge bat against left-handers."

Yankees Vs. Blue Jays Final Score: New York keeps pace with 9-6 win

It didn't come easy, but the New York Yankees were able to avoid losing another game in the AL East race by beating the Toronto Blue Jays, 9-6.

After five innings, the Yanks had fallen behind 5-1, but the offense would wake from their slumber by scoring three runs in the seventh, two in the eighth and two more in the ninth.

Phil Hughes struggled in his start, going just 4⅔ innings and allowing five runs on eight hits. Derek Lowe came out of the bullpen to halt the bleeding, pitching 1⅔ clean innings to help the Yankees get control back.

Leading the offensive assault for the Yankess were Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano. Both went 3-for-5 with an RBI. Alex Rodriguez and Raul Ibanez each came through with two hits a piece to assist the cause.

With the Orioles defeating the Red Sox this afternoon, the Yankees remain tied with the O's for first place in the AL East.

Yankees at Blue Jays preview: Yankees need victory in series finale

New York looks to split the weekend series against Toronto.

Jays 3, Yankees 2: Toronto deals New York pivotal loss

New York's offense disappeared after the first inning, as the Yankees lost 3-2 to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Yankees at Blue Jays preview: Game time, TV schedule, probable pitchers

Andy Pettitte gets the start for New York today as the Yankees try to protect a one-game lead in the American League East.

Yankees 11, Jays 4: Offense explodes to even up series

The Yankees offense exploded for 11 runs to easily defeat the Blue Jays and maintain their one-game lead over the Orioles in the AL East

Yankees vs. Blue Jays: Curtis Granderson rips pitcher's glove off, still lines out

Curtis Granderson hit a ball so hard that it ripped off the glove of Toronto pitcher Curtis Jenkins. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to get on base and drive his teammate home.

The Yankees are facing the Blue Jays with division title hopes on the line, and Granderson came to the plate in the top of the first with Nick Swisher on second. He made contact and had to feel good. Then this happened:

That's Jenkins' glove flying off, then dropping right back in his hands.

Even with the missed opportunity, the Yankees still lead the Blue Jays, 3-0, in the second inning. NIck Swisher drove in two runs with a double in the first inning and the Yankees got their third run when Derek Jeter grounded into a double play to bring in Raul Ibanez.

New York looks to stay in first place by themselves, as the Orioles are blowing out the Red Sox.

Yankees vs Blue Jays Lineup: Yankees look to bounce back versus Blue Jays

The New York Yankees are looking to bounce back after a 6-0 loss to the last place Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday in order to stay ahead of the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East and on pace with the Texas Rangers for the best record in the American League.

The Yankees are currently one game ahead of the Orioles in the AL East and two games behind the Rangers for the best record in the American League. Friday night's lineups are as follows:

New York Yankees

1) Derek Jeter - SS
2) Ichiro Suzuki - RF
3) Alex Rodriguez - 3B
4) Robinson Cano - 2B
5) Nick Swisher - 1B
6) Curtis Granderson - CF
7) Raul Ibanez - LF
8) Russell Martin - C
9) Eric Chavez - DH

SP: Hiroki Kuroda

Toronto Blue Jays

1) Brett Lawrie - 3B
2) Colby Rasmus - CF
3) Edwin Encarnacion - DH
4) J.P. Arencibia - C
5) Adam Lind - 1B
6) Yunel Escobar- SS
7) Kelly Johnson - 2B
8) Rajai Davis - RF
9) Anthony Gose - LF

SP: Chad Jenkins

MLB Standings: Playoff races head to final weekend

The 2012 Major League Baseball season features several exciting races as the season reaches its final regular-season weekend.

Yankees At Blue Jays Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers

The Yankees will try to even their series against the Blue Jays on Friday, and hold off the Orioles in the AL East.

Jays 6, Yankees 0: Brandon Morrow Shuts Down Bronx Bombers

The Yankees dropped their series opener in Toronto on Thursday, losing 6-0 as Brandon Morrow cruised through seven innings.

Yankees vs. Blue Jays: Alex Rodriguez back in lineup

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez returns to New York's lineup as the designated hitter on Thursday night when the team starts a four-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays. Rodriguez fouled a ball off his right foot on Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins, forcing him to sit out the series finale on Wednesday.

Rodriguez has struggled through September with the Yankees locked in a tight division battle, posting just a .689 OPS and slugging just three home runs in 89 at-bats. New York is 1½ games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East with seven to play.

The Blue Jays will try to play spoiler with ace Brandon Morrow on the mound in the series opener. Morrow has struggled as of late, going 0-2 with a 5.52 ERA in his last three starts.

Ivan Nova takes the hill for the Yankees. He is 12-7 with a 4.94 ERA on the year. He went just 2⅓ innings while giving up three runs in his last start against the A's.

First pitch is set for 7:07 p.m. ET. Full lineups:

Yankees

1. Derek Jeter SS

2. Ichiro Suzuki RF

3. Alex Rodriguez DH

4. Robinson Cano 2B

5. Nick Swisher 1B

6. Curtis Granderson CF

7. Russell Martin C

8. Raul Ibanez LF

9. Jayson Nix 3B

Blue Jays

1. Brett Lawrie 3B

2. Colby Rasmus CF

3. Edwin Encarnacion DH

4. Yunel Escobar SS

5. Adam Lind 1B

6. J.P. Arencibia C

7. Kelly Johnson 2B

8. Moises Sierra RF

9. Anthony Gose LF

Yankees at Blue Jays Preview: Game time, TV schedule, probable pitchers

The New York Yankees travel to Rogers Centre for a four-game set with the last-place Toronto Blue Jays.