Get Ready To Panic, ESPN; Yankees And Red Sox May Both Miss Playoffs

The year was 1993. Bill Clinton ascends to the White House. The Bills lose their third consecutive Super Bowl. "Whoomp! (There It Is)" by Tag Team is America's No. 1 song. And in a strike-shortened season, both the Yankees and Red Sox fail to make the playoffs. That's the last time that's happened, but guess what? It could happen again. And this could be the year. With the Blue Jays' 14-3 pummeling of New York on Thursday, the Yankees fell to 67-60 in the East, 10 1/2 games behind the first-place Rays. That's six games behind the Red Sox and Twins, who are tied for first in the wild card race. Yep, Boston could lose out as well, meaning that ESPN may as well go dark for the duration of the playoffs. The Yankees seem totally out of contention: Only Saturday's return to the lineup of Carl Pavano — making his first start in 16 months due to Tommy John surgery — provides any optimism. Thursday's loss was New York's 14th over its past 23 games. Roy Halladay won his 15th of the season for the Blue Jays on Thursday, and Sidney Ponson, well, didn't. The Red Sox, 12-6 since losing Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers on July 31, are in Toronto to begin a three-game series tonight at 7. Boston has six games remaining with both the Rays and Yankees, including a three-game set at Fenway against New York to close the regular season. Red Sox, Yanks Both Miss Playoffs? It's Possible [NBCSports]