The Yankees and the Rangers have the biggest payroll differential in playoff history.  That's really not that shocking until you break the numbers down.  There is a $152 million GAP between the teams.  Here is an article that breaks it down and has some interesting little factoids  too:

http://gossipsports.com/?p=684

For instance, for the price of A-Rod you could pay all of the Rangers except the top 6.  Also Cliff Lee, C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter (all of Texas’ playoff starting rotation) combined make less than Mariano Rivera.

I may be defective, but I enjoy the fact that the Yankees are so unfair.  They're the evil empire and you can't have an epic hero without an epic villain.  Their advantages and history will make our eventual defeat of them in the ALCS that much sweeter (sometime in the year 2077 or so).