BALTIMORE – Orioles rookie third baseman Manny Machado was a 4-year-old when Baltimore and the New York Yankees last met in the postseason.
The year was 1996, a lifetime ago for Orioles fans and a rather meaningless event in the development of Machado, who grew up to become a No. 1 draft pick and a key player in Baltimore's improbable, magnificent 2012 season.
Sixteen years after the Yankees ousted the Orioles from the playoffs and advanced to the World Series, the division rivals resume their rivalry Sunday night in Game 1 of the AL Division Series. It will be Baltimore's first home playoff game since 1997.
CC Sabathia will start for the Yankees, who won the AL East title by two games over the Orioles.
The teams split the season series 9-9.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.