Jose Caballero Walks It Off To Send The Yankees To The Postseason, And Now The Division Title Might Be Back On The Table With 5 Games To Go

Al Bello. Getty Images.

It sure hasn't been pretty to get to this point, but the Yankees are headed back to the postseason after this Jose Caballero walk off on the 9th pitch of his at bat. Big shout out to Michael A. Taylor in CF who had no business in diving for that baseball. Also shout out this White Sox pitcher for the wild pitch here with the game on the line.

The Yankees went through a depressing 20-31 stretch during the summer that made me feel like death was the more enjoyable option over continuously watching them play baseball. They got through it and are playing a whole lot better lately, including series Ws over Boston, Houstons, and Toronto. Their reward? October baseball. 

So now that the postseason spot is clinched, the Yankees set their sights on the division, which has all of a sudden become a thing again. They're not in control of their destiny and are not in the driver's seat, but with Toronto's 4-1 loss to Boston on Tuesday the AL East deficit is down to one. Unfortunately for the Yankees they lost the head to head season series against the Jays, so that one game lead is actually two. Good news? The Sox have Garrett Crochet going on Wednesday against Max Scherzer. The Yankees have 5 home games remaining against the White Sox and Orioles this week to finish out the season. If you win out and the Jays go 3-2 you win the division and get the all important first round bye next week. It's not likely, but it's definitely on the table. They had to win tonight to make it possible. Fuck it, let's see what the rest of the week has for us. 

They may not have Juan Soto, but there's an argument to be made that this is a deeper, deadlier lineup. They're without Cole, but Fried and Rodon have been lights out this year to head the staff. The pen is a problem, but even Devin Williams seems to have gotten his head out of his ass. David Bednar has really helped out my blood pressure in the 2nd half of the season. Listen, I don't know if they're better than last year, but they actually might be? 

P.S. The trade deadline definitely produced duds like Doval and Bird, but there were positives like Bednar, who is the fucking man, and Ryan McMahon's great defense (maybe he's saving the power for October). But Jose Caballero has been the real surprise. His overall numbers won't blow you away, but my god is this dude a pest. The ultimate role player you don't want to deal with if you're on the opposing side. Tonight's pinch hit, 9 pitch at bat showed that perfectly. 

Whether it's pesky at bats, solid defense, or being a terror on the bases he's a guy who brings you value every time he impacts a game. He will have a big moment in the postseason.