The Yankees certainly have their backs up against the wall. A 14.6 % chance of winning the series if you believe Rational Pastime. And to do that they have to channel their inner-2004 Boston Red Sox, and that may be simply unpalatable for them. Tough break, ya know?
But hey, maybe their chances are a tad better if they can just steal one this afternoon. Why? Because that sends it back to Texas, and if that happens, recent history -- which probably means little, but which is all the hope a Yankees fan can ask for right now -- favors them. Check out the home records in the AL playoffs so far:
Rays: 0-3
Twins: 0-2
Rangers: 1-3
Yankees: 1-2
CC Sabathia + the vagaries of small sample size fate are on their side!
(thanks to reader Johnny T. for the heads up on the home records)