In a season that is more or less no different from most others, the American League East division is going to boil down the final week or two of the season, and will include the two historically dominate teams, the Yankees and the Red Sox. However, the Tampa Bay Rays will have something to say about who wins that division and fans NY Yankees tickets will become hot commodities, as will those for the Red Sox and Rays.

Yesterday, the Yankees attempted to match a victory by the Red Sox to stay in the hunt in the division. With the Rays on a recent roll, the Yankees and Sox both need every victory to remain alive in the race. The problem, for the Yankees, was that they ran into a brick wall on Monday in the form of Glen Perkins. The Twins pitcher threw eight scoreless innings as Minnesota blanked the Yankees 4-0. Obviously the offense for the Yankees was nada, while Adam Everett led the way for Minnesota with a one-for-three night that included a two-run home run.

The loss drops the Yankees to a whopping nine games out of first, behind the Rays, while the Red Sox are four games out. The nine game deficit is the largest one the Yankees have seen in over a month-and-a-half and makes their road that much harder as the season is down to the final six weeks.

After taking the first two games of the series against the Marlins on Friday and Saturday, the Mets were unable to take the sweep as Florida salvaged the series on Sunday by taking an impressive 8-2 win.

Louis Gonzalez led the way for Florida offensively, going 3-4 with and RBI and 2 runs scored – one of his hits was a home run. Mike Jacobs was another offensive catalyst for the Marlins, converting a double and a home run, as part of his 2-4 night, into an RBI and three runs scored.

Josh Johnson pitched a fantastic game for the Marlins as well, pitching seven solid innings, giving up five hits, two earn runs, while giving up two walks with five strike outs. Johnson’s efforts were more than enough to lead the Marlins to the win, but the eight runs provided by his offense gave him a huge safety net.

With the win, the Marlins pull to a half-game behind the Mets and two-and-a-half games out of the division lead currently held by Philadelphia. This division is still very much up in the air, pick up some Mets tickets now and be a part of the pennant race.

Welcome back for another weekly installment of Hot Tickets from Select A Ticket.

In the past week, these five items were the most popular events on www.SelectATicket.com.

1. Legally Blonde
2. Phantom of the Opera
3. 2009 MLB All Star Home Run Derby
4. Mamma Mia!
5. Lion King 

And there you have it for the past week. A big suprise to some might be seeing the 2009 MLB Home Run Derby listed there but bigtime baseball fans know that if you want tickets, you need to act fast!

Come back next week to see what tops the list for the next 7 days. My guess is we’ll see some changes and maybe some different Broadway shows making the list along with some concerts or sporting events. Only way to find out is come back next Monday and see!

Only last year, Whoopi Goldberg was named the new co-host for one of America’s top morning talk shows, The View, and now she’ll be adding to her resume as she will pulling double duty both on the ABC women’s panel and as Caliope in the hit musical Xanadu on Broadway.

Whoopi says she will start immediately and continue to star in the role through September 7th at Helen Hays Theatre. Jackie Hoffman, who essentially created the role, is on hiatus while she works on her new CD. Goldberg’s stint is merely a fill-in role for Hoffman, who will return on September 9th.

“What better way to stick my toe back into the Broadway stage that to join the amazing cast of Xanadu,” said Goldberg, when asked about her role. “It’s such a fun show and is definitely my sensibility, as written by the divine Douglas Carter Beane,” she continued, “For me it’s going to be unbelievable.”

Whoopi Goldberg is a well-known member of Hollywood as well as New York, patrons who purchase Broadway tickets online to Xanadu will have a unique opportunity to see a decades-long star work in unique and exciting environment.

After hearing the word yesterday, that Joba Chamberlain was facing unspecified time on the DL, many Yankees fans were probably understandably worried about the state of the team. Joba joins several injured key players on the DL including Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui, and fellow hurler Chien Ming Wang – a cast of players whose injuries cause understandable doubt to be cast over the remainder of the season.

However, great deadline moves and lesser-known players stepping up at the right time, are helping the Yankees continue their success as they move towards the playoffs. Last night was a good example as several “second-tier” players contributed to the Yankees victory over the Texas Rangers 5-3.

The leader of the pack was pitcher Sidney Ponson who threw into the 7th inning , giving the bullpen a much needed breather for the stretch-run into the late months of the season. Additionally, Jose Molina stepped up, going 2-for-4 after Ivan Rodriguez had to leave the game after a collision at home plate. Pudge is said to be uninjured and should return to the lineup tonight.

The Yankees are a club of contributors, and even the lesser-known and unheralded players know how to get it done. Look for more out of their benches as they continue to make waves in the AL East. Grab some NY Yankees tickets and take the opportunity to see some of these young stars – as well as the veterans. You won’t regret it.

One of the big surprises this MLB season has been the offensive production of Fernando Tatis. After 10 years in the majors (with very average numbers), Tatis left the US all together to play in the Mexican Baseball League. Soon he was overcome, as he says, with a feeling that he should build a church in his home country of the Dominican Republic. He decided to give the majors another chance and he has been owning pitchers in the NL East all year long.

Tatis’ .316 batting average is the second best on the club, while his clutch hitting numbers are turning heads across the league. In addition to his offensive production, he has become a leader both on and off the field for a club that has seen its ups and downs this year.

Last night, Tatis came through once – no, twice – again for the Mets as they were able to dispatch San Diego 6-5 in Queens. After three plus innings of no-hit ball, Tatis finally broke the offensive silence for the Mets with a solo shot in the fourth inning. He homered again in the sixth – this one a three run blast – to give the Mets a lead that they would not relinquish – despite a 3-run ninth for the Padres.

Fernando Tatis is one of the good guys in the game and if you get the chance to pick up some Mets tickets, you should definitely see him in action.

For over 50 years, Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” has been one of the most recognizable and memorable scores in film history, and this coming November It will make its Broadway premier. According to producers, the classic musical film has been adapted for the stage, and will run on Broadway this Christmas season at the Marquis Theatre.

White Christmas is about two ex-military men and the two beautiful sisters that they woo – all revolving around the show they are to put on at an inn in Vermont. Among the most memorable songs from the film’s score are “White Christmas”, “The Best Things Happen When You’re Dancing”, and “Snow”. The original film starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera Ellen.

The show’s welcoming to Broadway is based on its previous success with Holiday runs in six cities across the country, including Boston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, so it is road-tested and should be a success under the bright lights of Broadway.

The population of New York increases dramatically around Christmas, so the show has a great chance of success during the season. If your plans take you to the Big Apple during Christmas pick up your Broadway tickets online today and get out to see this legendary Christmas musical.

These were the Top 5 Events on www.SelectATicket.com last week:

1. New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox
2. Mamma Mia!
3. Wicked
4. Lion King
5. South Pacific

Heavily dominated by Broadway tickets once again, but the legendary baseball rivalry of Yankees vs Red Sox wins out above all else!

Be sure to come back next week to see what our visitors are most interested in!

Yankee Stadium played host to one of most exciting games of the year last night – a see saw battle that eventually ended up landing in favor of the home team as the Yankees took 2-of-3 from the MLB’s best team. The stars for both team were players that acquired on or around last week’s trade deadline.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim came into the game with a league-leading 68-40 record and on a serious momentum swing after dispatching the Red Sox in three straight games. The Angels have had their way with the Yankees in recent years, particularly in the playoffs and they may have been out to send a message that things are about to change.

After pulling out to a 5-0 lead into the 6th inning, the Angels saw their lead slip just a bit in the 5th with newly acquired Ivan Rodriguez’s solo homer. Then in the bottom of the 6th, they put together a 3-run inning, including a home run by another new acquisition, Xavier Nady, to pull the game to 5-4.

The Yankees then added four more in the 7th to take the lead 8-5 only to see the Halos own new addition, Mark Teixeira pound a grand slam to take the lead back.

It seemed karma had intended the Yankees to win, as they pounded out six more runs in the bottom of the 8th to win with authority in a terrific contest.

The Red Sox swept Oakland as well this weekend, so the Yankees were unable to gain any ground on them as both team still trail Tampa Bay. There are many more exciting Yankees games to come, so get out to the ballpark.

As the trade deadline approached yesterday, the Yankees were able to make a few adjustments that they think will up their chances to win the AL East down the stretch. As many teams do, who are in contention, the Yankees were able to give up some young less-proven talent in order to fill immediate voids.

The biggest move the Yankees made this week was the addition of former league MVP Ivan Rodriguez to take over behind the plate in the absence of Jorge Posada who had to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery earlier in July.

Pudge brings to New York, not only a solid defensive presence and a good bat for their catcher’s spot, but also experience and leadership – something no club can have too much of. Pudge entered his pin-striped uniform batting .295 this season with 32 RBI and 5 home runs thus far in 2008.

Pudge joins Richie Sexson, Xavier Nady, and Damaso Marte as the major pre-deadline additions to the club.

NY Yankees tickets for the remainder of the season are still available as the Yankees continue to make their run for the playoffs behind a solid group of talent.