For Yankee fans who believe in omens, there is plenty of good news in the stark contrast between how the bombers and their trans-Connecticut rivals nailed down their respective playoff spots.
The Yankees clinched the division in front of their home fans with a come-from-behind win to complete a sweep of Boston, part of a now seven-game win streak that includes the team’s fifteenth walk-off win of the season. The streak puts the Yankees at 102 wins on the season and 51–19 since the All-Star break — their best second half since the All-Star game began in 1933.
Meanwhile, in Beantown, the Red Sox clinched the wild card at about 1 a.m. this morning when the free-falling Texas Rangers lost a third straight to Anaheim. This, after the Red Sox failed to complete a comeback against the lackluster Blue Jays when Kevin Youkilis struck out looking with two on and two out while trailing by a run in the bottom of the ninth — part of a now five-game losing streak that includes a scratched start due to back spasms by arguably the team’s best pitcher, Josh Beckett, and a blow-up by its resurgent young righty, Clay Buchholz. How does a team celebrate backing into the playoffs in perhaps the lamest way possible? Here’s the MLB account:
“Once the Red Sox lost, there was a bizarre feeling in the clubhouse. Some players packed up and went home, while others milled around and watched the Rangers-Angels game on television. Ortiz said he would go out to a local establishment and then return to Fenway if the Rangers gave him reason to celebrate. Rookie reliever Daniel Bard went to his apartment across the street to have a late-night dinner, but he was prepared to return and enjoy the clinching moment with his teammates.
By the time the Rangers lost, Lowell and left-fielder Jason Bay estimated that close to 90 percent of the players on Boston’s roster was on hand for the clubhouse celebration.”
Yeah! Close to 90 percent attendance!