My math skills are pretty rusty. And my understanding of the MLB playoff rules are even sketchier. But if I believe what the calculator tells me, with a win today, the Red Sox would effectively eliminate the Yankees from the division title. Not the postseason, mind you, but the division.
Sure, this doesn’t mean we’ve seen the last of New York. The Wild Card is within their grasp and neither Tampa Bay nor Texas seem to be in any hurry to wrap it up.
But knocking them off their lofty perch of reigning AL East champs — especially on the heels of last year’s forgettable season — will still feel pretty damn good. So let’s do it. Celebrate the magic of Mariano, and then make sure the old coot doesn’t add another AL East title to his war chest.
Clay, we’re counting on you.
