MLB playoffs 2016: 3 reasons the Yankees make it

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Sep 21, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) is congratulated by left fielder Brett Gardner (11), manager Joe Girardi (28) ad teammates after he hit a home run during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

They control their own destiny

With ten games left against the three teams ahead of them in the division, the Yankees control their own destiny. Play well against the Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Orioles, and October is a real possibility. That’s not an easy task, but it is one the Yankees may be up to.

The Yankees have struggled this year against the Jays and Red Sox, posting an 11-20 record against the two teams. Against the Orioles, they have been better, with an 8-8 record and a 5-2 record at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees draw the Orioles at home in the final week of the season. The Yankees are only 1-5 in Toronto this year, so something will have to change there.

The Yankees likely have to win eight of their final 11 games to make the playoffs, a very daunting task, but they are aided in that they get to attempt that difficult feat against three of the teams who are ahead of them. Every time the Yankees beat the Jays, Red Sox, or Orioles, they have a chance to make up ground. Yes, it will be difficult to fend off the Houston Astros, who have seven games remaining against the Los Angeles Angels, a team they are 11-1 against this year. However, the fact remains that the Yankees are in a position to take care of their own business by beating their divisional rivals in the season’s final week. A team can’t ask for much more, especially when they were left for dead two months ago.

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