As they always do, by riding a balanced, talented squad with the highest payroll in baseball. They won 95 games, best in the AL, and captured their third division title in four years and their 17th playoff berth in 18 seasons. The Yankees won 16 of their last 21 games to guarantee the Orioles would have to settle for a wild-card spot. It wasn't all bagels and cream cheese, though. These Yankees had a winning record in just three of the six full months this season.