ALDS: Minnesota 2 - 5 New York (New York leads 2-0)

In 2003, the Yankees beat the Twins in the ALDS by three games to one.

In 2004, the Yankees beat the Twins in the ALDS by three games to one.

In 2009, the Yankees swept the Twins in the ALDS.

This year, the Twins were hoping it would be different. The Twins had a new stadium. They had home field advantage. The Yankees only had one good starting pitcher. The Yankees were old. The Yankees didn't even win their division. Surely this would be different.

But it hasn't been. The Yankees cruised home with a 5-2 victory, as Andy Pettite pitched a great seven innings, and Kerry Wood and Mariano Rivera closed the door.

So the AL playoffs -- which appeared so wide open at noon yesterday -- now seem to be almost over. The Rangers and Yankees both have 2-0 leads, and are both going home, where they will have two chances to close out their series.