New York @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( May 15, 2016 ) Chi. White Sox 5, NY Yankees 7

Despite a horrific six-week swoon in which they won only 10 of 36 games, the Chicago White Sox are in the thick of a tight American League wild card chase entering a three-game series against the visiting New York Yankees on Monday night. The White Sox have won four straight series to move two games over .500 for the first time since June 4.

Chicago owned the best record in the American League at 23-10 before going into a tailspin, which included dropping two of three in New York in mid-May. Chicago has responded by winning nine of its last 13 while the up-and-down Yankees avoided a three-game sweep with a 6-3 victory in San Diego on Sunday behind a pair of homers from Mark Teixeira. New York left-hander CC Sabathia takes a 19-5 overall record versus the White Sox into Monday's start, including a spectacular 10-1 mark with a 3.28 ERA in 17 starts at U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox counter with James Shields, who will be looking to win back-to-back starts for the first time this season.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, YES (New York), CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (5-5, 3.17 ERA) vs. White Sox RH James Shields (3-9, 5.85)

After going seven straight appearances with two runs or fewer allowed, Sabathia has been knocked around in his last two appearances. The soon-to-be 36-year-old Sabathia allowed six runs for the second straight start to take the loss versus Texas after garnering a no-decision while pitching a season-low 4 1/3 innings in his previous turn. Melky Cabrera and Brett Lawrie are a combined 8-for-33 with two homers each versus Sabathia.

Shields finally provided some reason for optimism on the south side of Chicago with his best start since his acquisition from the Padres. Shields went 6 2/3 innings and allowed one run on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings against Minnesota for his first victory in five starts with Chicago. Teixeira, who has homered four times in his last seven games, is a dismal 6-for-51 with 18 strikeouts against Shields.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees SS Didi Gregorius has three homers and six RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.

2. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu, batting .308 in 13 games versus New York, has hit safely in his last six contests overall.

3. Teixeira hit home runs Nos. 400 and 401 Sunday, becoming the ninth player to reach 400 while playing for the Yankees.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, White Sox 3