Yankees clinch playoff spot with 9th-inning comeback as Blue Jays feel the heat

Through eight innings, it appeared as if the New York Yankees were about to squander a golden opportunity. The Toronto Blue Jays were about to lose to the Boston Red Sox and the Yanks could only muster one run against the Chicago White Sox, who led 2-1 with three outs to go.

But the bottom of the order flipped the switch. Anthony Volpe led off the bottom of the ninth with a single, and Austin Wells followed with one of his own. Just like that, there were runners on first and second with nobody out.

Trent Grisham killed the vibes for a moment by grounding into a double play, but the White Sox opted to walk Aaron Judge with first base open. Cody Bellinger was the next guy up with runners on the corners and two outs.

White Sox reliever Brandon Eisert lost the plate, and delivered a wild pitch on a 3-2 count. Bellinger waltzed to first base as Volpe raced for home. He crossed the plate standing up and the game was tied in a flash. That was a big exhale, as the Yankees cashed in on just one of their eight opportunities with runners in scoring position up until that point.

The inning prior, manager Aaron Boone called upon Jose Caballero as a pinch runner, removing Ben Rice from the game, so it was Caballero coming to the plate with runners on first and second with two outs and a chance to win it.

The Sox brought in righty reliever Steven Wilson to face the pesky Yankee, but Caballero showed no fear. He worked a nine-pitch at-bat, fouling off multiple close calls, and then blooped a single into center field. The ball dropped, Aaron Judge rounded third, and the Yankees won. The Stadium erupted as the Bombers' deficit in the AL East dropped to one game after Toronto's loss to Boston.

Yankees clinch playoff spot with 9th-inning comeback as Blue Jays feel the heat

The Yankees are going to the playoffs! And the No. 1 seed is still in play. Caballero's first career walk-off hit was a monstrous one.

As for the remaining contests, the Yankees have two more against the White Sox and three more against the Baltimore Orioles. The Blue Jays have two more against Boston and then three against Tampa Bay. New York's schedule is objectively easier, and it's quite possible they capture the division crown. It's important to remember, however, that the one-game deficit is actually a two-game deficit because the Blue Jays own the tiebreaker over the Yankees due to the head-to-head record.

It's been an unthinkable turn of events for the Yankees, who were just 69-60 a month ago after dropping three in a row to the Red Sox. Fans have been extremely critical this year, but their dedication and passion has been rewarded as the group of guys on the field stayed strong and delivered when it has mattered most down the stretch.

There's still much to accomplish, but it very much feels like the Yankees are in the driver's seat, and nobody can deny the Blue Jays are feeling the pressure now. They'll have to face Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello the next two nights, which could very well be the deciding factor.

Better hope all the trash talk this year has paid off Toronto. Time to put up or shut up.