New York Yankees have defied the doubters to land the American League East title after winning their double-header against Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday – and are now determined to seal home-field advantage up to the World Series (4/1 Outright).

In the first game, it was Robinson Cano who provided the win with a two-run double in the eighth inning to confirm a play-off place, before Jorge Posada drove in two runs in the eighth so seal a 4-2 win in the second and, with it, the AL East title.

There had been many who felt the Yankees would struggle to match Boston this season with question marks hanging over their bullpen and their ageing stars, but they have answered their critics in style with their 12th AL East title in 16 years.

The Bronx Bombers are now the 6/4 favourites to claim the American League Pennant, with the Red Sox harming their own chances of a wild card spot by throwing away a 4-1 lead to lose 6-4 against Baltimore and suffer their 14th loss in 18 games.

The Yankees hold a five-game advantage over Detroit and Texas in the race for the best AL record with seven games to go but they are looking to keep their focus going into the post-season.

“We came into this season and a lot of people said we were the second- or third-best team in the division,” first baseman Mark Teixeira said. “We didn’t need to prove it to ourselves, but it’s nice to prove it to the world that you can never count us out.”

“We’re going to enjoy this tonight and start playing some good ball to go into October.”