New York @ Baltimore preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2013 ) NY Yankees 5, Baltimore 4

The New York Yankees are starting to resemble the Bronx Bombers of years past as they've powered their way back into playoff contention by using a familiar formula that was absent most of the season. The Yankees have swatted three homers in back-to-back comeback wins and vaulted within one game of Tampa Bay for the second American League wild card. New York tries to make it three straight victories in the finale of a four-game series against the host Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.

New York moved one-half game ahead of Baltimore and Cleveland on Wednesday, hours after learning captain Derek Jeter's season was over because of recurring issues with his ankle. The Orioles had a three-run lead Tuesday and a two-run advantage Wednesday, only to see the Yankees use the long ball to erase the deficits. Chris Davis, who leads the majors with 49 homers and 89 extra-base hits, has recorded two RBIs in each of the last two games to boost his season total to 128.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, YES (New York), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Phil Hughes (4-13, 5.11 ERA) vs. Orioles LH Wei-Yin Chen (7-7, 3.82)

Hughes was banished to the bullpen after losing his sixth consecutive decision, but manager Joe Girardi opted to give him another start after lefty David Huff was battered in his place. Hughes is winless since beating Minnesota on July 2, but he has pitched much better away from home with a 3-4 record and 3.84 ERA. Hughes is 6-5 with a 5.30 ERA in 10 career appearances (16 starts) against Baltimore.

Chen rebounded from a pair of rocky outings with six strong innings last time out, striking out eight and giving up two runs, but he has won only once in his last seven starts. His biggest problem of late has been the long ball - Chen has surrendered seven homers in his last five starts after giving up six in his first 13 turns. He lasted only four innings against New York on Sept. 1, giving up three runs and walking five.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chen is 1-3 with a 5.29 ERA in six starts against the Yankees.

2. Wednesday's 5-4 win gave New York a major league-best 26-15 record in one-run games.

3. Davis is the first player in franchise history with 40 homers and 40 doubles in one season and is one shy of Brady Anderson's single-season home run mark of 50 set in 1996.

PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Yankees 4