MLB MLB Add Topic MLB power rankings: Yankees climb back into race for AL East title Gabe Lacques USA TODAY Hear this story 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. EXCLUSIVE: MLB’s fired managers