New York @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( May 8, 2013 ) NY Yankees 3, Colorado 2

Even though Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and Curtis Granderson have not played in 2013, the New York Yankees are 19-13 and near the top of the American League East. "Of course, they're a better team with them on the field. But they're still the Yankees," Colorado's Carlos Gonzalez said. "They always find a way to win, always find a way to be competitors." New York tries for the series victory when they visit the Rockies in the finale of the three-game series Thursday.

After the Yankees pinch hit for third baseman Chris Nelson in the ninth inning of Wednesday's 3-2 victory and depleted their bench, they were forced to put outfielder Vernon Wells at the hot corner for the first time in his career. In a perfect example of how everything is clicking for the Yankees, the ball found Wells as he fielded a chopper by Gonzalez and threw a perfect strike to first. The Rockies have alternated wins and losses in their last eight games and hope to get a lift from struggling Jeff Francis, who is clinging to a spot in the rotation. The Yankees counter with CC Sabathia, who is also in a bit of a slump.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, YES (New York), ROOT Sports (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (4-3, 3.31 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Jeff Francis (1-2, 7.27)

Sabathia has lost two of his last three starts after winning three of his four outings. The 32-year-old, who has 195 career victories, allowed two runs and eight hits over six innings in New York's 2-0 loss to Oakland on Friday. Sabathia has struggled at Coors Field with a loss in two starts and an 8.71 ERA in 10 innings, but hasn't pitched there since 2003 while with Cleveland. Michael Cuddyer has 11 hits and 12 strikeouts in 55 at-bats against Sabathia, while Todd Helton is 1-for-9.

With a fastball usually in the mid-80s, Francis needs his other pitches and spot-on location to succeed. But with his changeup all but rendered ineffective, the 32-year-old has suffered. After allowing one run in winning his season opener, Francis has yielded 20 in his last 20 frames. He has allowed 36 hits in 26 innings, leading to a 1.81 WHIP and .330 batting average against. Francis defeated the Yankees 6-1 during the Rockies' three-game sweep at Coors Field in 2007.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki did not start Wednesday after missing Tuesday's game with a sore adductor muscle in his left leg. He pinch hit with one out in the eighth inning and was hit in the back by David Robertson's curveball before being lifted for a pinch runner.

2. Nelson, who recorded his first hit in a Yankee uniform Wednesday, is 1-for-13 since Colorado traded him to New York on May 1.

3. Yankees C Austin Romine and Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado - both rookies - were teammates at El Toro High School in Lake Forest, Calif.

PREDICTION: Yankees 9, Rockies 2