The New York Yankees powered into the MLB playoffs with a 14-2 rout of the Boston Red Sox, condemning the Baltimore Orioles to a one-game wildcard shoot-out against the Texas Rangers.
Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson each hit a pair of homers as the Yankees claimed their 13th American League East title in 17 years. The Yankees completed a three-game sweep of the last-place Red Sox to win their second consecutive division crown.
Cano tied a career high with six RBIs as New York secured home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs. The Yankees will open on the road Sunday against the winner of Friday's wild-card game between Baltimore and Texas.
Evan Longoria hit three home runs as the Tampa Bay Rays beat Baltimore 4-1 Wednesday, ending the Orioles' bid to force a one-game tiebreaker for the AL East title.
The Yankees will open on the road on Sunday against the winner of Friday's wild-card game between Baltimore and Texas.
Miguel Cabrera won baseball's first Triple Crown in 45 years, achieving one of the game's greatest feats.
Cabrera topped the American League with a .330 batting average, 44 home runs and 139 RBIs, becoming only the 15th player to win the Triple Crown and the first since Boston's Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.
Los Angeles Angels rookie Mike Trout was second in batting at .326, while New York Yankees slugger Curtis Granderson and Texas star Josh Hamilton finished tied for second with 43 homers. Hamilton ranked second with 128 RBIs.
David Lengel's MLB playoffs preview and the full playoff schedule will be online later.
