Kansas City Royals: Third Postseason Picture Update

AL first wild card spot

New York Yankees

Overall record (through Sunday): 66-57

Last week: 5-2

This week: Off Monday; at Detroit Tigers (Tue.-Thu.); vs. Seattle Mariners (Fri.-Sun.)

After struggling for much of August, the Yankees finally put things together last week. Just in time to face the Mets. How convenient.

Four straight narrow wins—all were by two or fewer runs—over their nearest rivals are a welcome sight to Yankees fans. And a not-so-welcome sight to virtually everyone else.

New York was taken back down a couple of pegs when they lost two of three to Boston over the weekend. That makes four losses in six games to the Red Sox spanning the past 10 days.

After having a day off Monday, the Yankees play three games against a reeling Tigers team and three against a resilient-but-unstable Mariners squad. This week could be another good one for the Bronx Bombers.

They better take advantage of it too.

With the Twins and Angels playing superb lately, the Yankees margin for error has shrunk when it comes to keeping hold of the first Wild Card spot. New York’s schedule also toughens up with Cleveland and Boston coming to town next week.