The New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles were battling for AL East supremacy seemingly all season long, and by September the squads were within a game of each other in a dead-heat for the playoffs. Fittingly, both teams made the postseason and found themselves meeting in the ALDS, but only the Yanks had C.C. Sabathia. Like he has been known to do through his career, Sabathia threw a complete game gem to help the Yankees top the Orioles 3-1 in Game 5, sending the pinstripes to the American League Championship Series en route.

Sabathia’s magnificent four-hitter was his first career postseason complete game, and he was the first Yankee to do so since Roger Clemens in 2000. And C.C. did it under pressure, slithering out of an eighth inning, bases-loaded jam to hold on to the win. The Yankees now go on to face the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night at Yankee Stadium, and there are plenty of Yankees playoff tickets here at Vivid Seats. The matchup has extra tension this year, as it was the Tiger’s who thwarted the Yanks dreams in the divisional series last season.  Andy Pettitte will take the mound for New York to face-off against Doug Fister in Game 1.

In one of the closest American League East Division races in quite some time, the New York Yankees prevailed just days before the start of the 2012 MLB playoffs to edge out the Baltimore Orioles and claim their 13th division crown in 17 years. They’ll face the winner of the one-game wild card showdown between the Orioles and Texas Rangers in a five-game AL Division Series, so be sure to check out our stock of 2012 New York Yankees playoff tickets on sale now. The Bronx Bombers have solidified home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

Veteran Derek Jeter remained consistent, as usual, maintaining a batting average upwards of .300 and led the squad with 216 hits, while Robinson Cano added 196 hits of his own to go along with 105 runs and 33 homers. On the pitching side, Hiroki Kuroda and Phil Hughes tied for the team lead with 16 wins apiece in a combined 65 appearances.

Down 3-2 in Game 5 of the ALDS, the New York Yankees were unable to mount a ninth inning comeback against the Detroit Tigers and save their playoff lives this past October. Last season, the Yankees sported the best record in the American League and held off the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East. As is the case with every season, NYC baseball fans shopping for 2012 Yankees tickets are expecting a return to the World Series this year. Despite missing Alex Rodriguez for considerable portion of the season, New York was one of the best hitting teams in the majors. Joe Girardi's team sported three 100+ RBI hitters last year in Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano, and Mark Teixeira. The Yanks' prospects for next year look bright with one of the game's most dominating starting pitchers returning to the Bronx, CC Sabathia. Fans will also be pleased to see 24-year-old hurler Ivan Nova in pinstripes on Opening Day. The youngster from San Cristobal, Dominican Republic won 16 games last year and only gave up 13 HRs in 165 innings of work. Look for Sabathia and Nova to power the top of the rotation once again when New York begins the chase for their 28th World Championship.

New York's game against the Oakland Athletics this past August typifies the season the Yankees have had this year in the Bronx. Over the course of 4+ hours at Yankee Stadium, the Pinstripers slugged their way into the history books, becoming the first team to hit three grand slams in one game. Thanks in large part to a trio of four-run blasts from Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson, and Russel Martin, the Yankees embarrassed the A's 22-9. With the AL Pennant seemingly in the bag for manager Joe Girardi and company, 2011 Yankees playoff tickets are must-have items in the Big Apple.

While Granderson (41 HRs, 115 RBIs) is garnering plenty of attention for the AL MVP race, the Yankees' biggest strength may be their oldest player. Ranking third in the MLB this season in saves - 41-year-old Mariano Riveria is still one of the most feared closers in the game. If New York's elder statesmen can dominate the final inning of the game like he has in the past, be prepared to see the Yankees win their 28th World Series title in 2011.