With their 6-5 win over the Angels on Tuesday night, the New York Yankees have clinched a playoff berth for the 2009 MLB post-season. The Yankees missed the playoffs in 2008 for the first time since 1994, when the post-season was canceled due to the player’s strike. The Yankees could have lost on Tuesday night and still clinched a playoff spot if the Texas Rangers lost their game to the Oakland A’s, which they wound up doing anyway. About 51 minutes prior to the Yankees winning their game the Rangers were defeated by the A’s by a score of 9-1.

The Rangers still have a shot at the playoffs but will have to overcome the Boston Red Sox in the American League Wild Card. The Yankees have clinched a spot in the playoffs but not the American League East just yet. Their magic number to clinch the East is at 5. So, any combination of Yankees wins and Red Sox losses that equals 5 will give the Yankees the East title. The Yankees are riding the curtails of two new free agent stars this year in left handed pitcher CC Sabathia and switch hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira.

Manager Joe Girardi is in his second year as manager of the Yankees and third year overall as a Major League manager. His first job was with the Florida Marlins in 2006. It has been speculated that Girardi could be let go after the post-season is complete if the Yankees are eliminated in the first round. So, even though the team has clinched a playoff spot Girardi’s job still isn’t safe.