The central issue here becomes not whether this is an improbable meeting. The central issue is that there is reason to expect that Orioles vs. Yankees should be a terrific Division Series.

It was a bit odd for the Yankees to report for their workout under the lights on Friday at Yankee Stadium, spotting not one but two travel itineraries resting on each clubhouse chair.

On Sunday evening, two very familiar foes will get together at Oriole Park at Camden Yards as the American League East champion Yankees travel south to face the AL Wild Card-winning O’s for the opener of a best-of-five series. It will be the 19th meeting this season between the division rivals, but the stakes are completely different this time around.

Joe Saunders never expected to be in this place watching this wild celebration. His story is symbolic of the Baltimore Orioles.

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish had trouble coming to grips on Friday that his first Major League season is officially over.

Josh Hamilton went 0-for-4 and struck out twice in a 5-1 loss to the Orioles at the Ballpark in Arlington as the Rangers’ season came to an abrupt end. He returned to the dugout to resounding boos from the crowd at Rangers Ballpark after his last three at-bats.

All forms of logic and reason point to the Nationals in their National League Division Series against the Cardinals. Just as the new postseason format intended, the division winner has every advantage.

The Orioles — denied a proper celebration of their first postseason berth in 15 years because of plane troubles — broke out the bubbly after punching a ticket to the ALDS on Friday in Texas.

In the final season of a two-year contract, Reds manager Dusty Baker rarely discusses or takes questions about his future. That was not the case on Friday afternoon.

Just two days after the sudden and heartbreaking passing of their 1-day-old son, pitcher Pat Neshek and his wife flew from their home in Florida to Detroit to rejoin the A’s as they prepare to begin the American League Division Series on Saturday.

The Rangers, despite the best efforts of starter Yu Darvish, had their season end when they lost to the Orioles, 5-1, in the AL Wild Card game in Arlington on Friday night.

As Miguel Cabrera stepped to the podium Friday afternoon at Comerica Park, he was introduced as “Triple Crown champion.”

The 2012 postseason is under way, and here is MLB.com’s guide to popular interactive options through the World Series.

What if the Tigers’ worry about Yoenis Cespedes was where to hit him, instead of how to pitch to him?

Can you imagine Frank Robinson’s reaction after he learned that Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera won the Triple Crown on Wednesday night? Robinson was ecstatic. He found it hard to believe that no one had won the Triple Crown since 1967, when Carl Yastrzemski matched Robinson’s feat.

Dave Dombrowski and Jim Leyland are back in the postseason once again, with Game 1 of their American League Division Series against the upstart A’s slated for a 6:07 p.m. ET start on TBS on Saturday at Comerica Park.

A day after letting four coaches go and reassigning two others, general manager Terry Ryan removed the interim label from his position with the Twins on Friday.