Why Last Night Mattered For The Yankees

In the 8th inning of last night's game vs. the Angels, the Yankees clinched a playoff spot. At the same time, they also lost a lead to the Angels in their home park where the Yankees never seem to win. So it would seem natural for the team to just pack it in and realize that it wasn't their night.

But the Phil Hughes overcame shotty defense behind him and kept the game tied, the Yankees grabbed the lead in the 9th behind Brett Gardner's wheels, Johnny Damon's bunt, and A-Rod's sac fly, and then Mariano Rivera came in to seal it up in the bottom of the 9th. So why was that important?

First, the Yankees got the [Rally] Monkey off their backs. They had very little success in Anaheim up until that point a desperately needed a win, much like their win against the Red Sox when they tattooed John Smoltz helped them get off the snide. The Angels are one of their toughest opponents and any win against them is big.

But also, the win gave the Yankees some more breathing room in the AL East and the race against the Angels for best record. Just because the Yankees won there last night (despite blowing the lead) does not mean they want to play a majority of their ALCS games there if that opportunity arises. They also decreased their magic number in the AL East to 6 which makes the upcoming weekend series against the Red Sox a little less of a sweat-fest.

Book the Yankees ticket to the playoffs, they're back. And it's nice to have a win to back that up.

Other thoughts:

• A-Rod looks really comfortable in Anaheim. Maybe it's just having Scott Boras in the front row watching him. But A-Rod needs to carry this momentum over into the playoffs, especially if they may face the Angels again.
• The 9th inning proves the difference between Brett Gardner in the lineup and Melky Cabrera. Not only is Gardner a superior defensive player, but his speed was the catalyst for that 9th inning rally. I think GGBG has to be your starter in the playoffs, especially against righties.
• Something is not right with Alfredo Aceves. I'll go into this more later, but they need to figure out if they can get him right by the playoffs or maybe go with someone else in his spot if he's not going to be healthy.
• Good job by Phil Hughes wiggling out of trouble after some terrible defense behind him
• Remember when people were worried of Jorge Posada could throw again? Remember when people were worried that Mariano Rivera couldn't strike people out anymore? I think the strike-'em-out, throw-'em-out double play in the bottom of the 9th proved those both aren't true.
  
• Hideki Matsui will be sorely missed next year. He's been tremendous for them.
  
• I hate the bunt, but it worked out for the Yankees in the 9th inning. I still hate the bunt, though. Johnny Damon is a good enough hitter and Brett Gardner has enough speed that if you swing away, I think you get Gardner to third anyways...
• Chad Gaudin looked great and then the wheels fell off. I feel like that is a common theme for him in starts. If they Yankees are going to start him in the playoffs, they need to make sure the bullpen is rolling at the first sign of trouble.
• I was glad to see, as Peter Abraham wrote, that the Yankees didn't celebrate getting back into the postseason. I truly don't think they should celebrate anything until they win a playoff series. This team is built for a lot more than just making the playoffs or just winning the division.
• 3:35 game today. A Yankees win would just about seal up the division and the home-field advantage. I know there's still baseball yet to be played, but I can't see the Yankees faltering that much if they can win behind the great enigma, A.J. Burnett, today.