The Yankees rallied from an early deficit against the Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon to win 9-6 and later clinch a postseason berth.
New York has been to the playoffs in 17 of the last 18 seasons.
"Tonight was a season-defining game for us," Nick Swisher said. "We could have gone down big like that and just packed it in, but that's not this team's M.O. That's not how we approach it."
The Yankees and Orioles are tied for first place in the American League East with three games left. New York is assured of at least a Wild Card spot.