Yankees Sweep Four Games From Mets, Lead in A.L. Wild Card Race

Catcher Gary Sanchez drove in five runs on a home run and single to lead the New York Yankees to a 7-5 win over the New York Mets at Citi Field on August 17th. The victory gave the Yankees a four game sweep over the Mets in their cross town interleague series (the first two games were at Yankee Stadium on the 14th and 15th, the last two at Citi Field).

The Yankees improved to 64-55 on the year, four games behind the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees have a three game set in Boston against their historic rival over the August 18-20th weekend. While there is still a chance to overtake the Red Sox—they have four other games left with them at Yankee Stadium August 31st-September 3rd—the Yankees are in a favorable position at the moment for one of the two American League Wild Cards, leading in those standings by 3 and a half games.

But there are plenty of teams within striking distance of the Yankees, or at least in competition for the other Wild Card. After completion of play on the 17th, the Los Angeles Angels were next in the Wild Card standings at 62-59 followed by the Kansas City Royals at 61-59, a half game behind the Angels. The Minnesota Twins at 60-59 were just a half game behind the Royals, and the Seattle Mariners (61-61 and the Texas Rangers (60-60) were both a half game behind the Twins. The Tampa Bay Rays (60-63), Baltimore Orioles, and Toronto Blue Jays (both 59-62) were all just a game and half behind the Twins.