New York @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2013 ) NY Yankees 0, Toronto 2

Desperation has set in for the New York Yankees as they look to keep their flickering playoff hopes alive. They'll turn to embattled starter Phil Hughes as the Yankees resume their three-game series against the division-rival Blue Jays on Wednesday in Toronto. New York opened the set with a thud, dropping a 2-0 decision thanks to seven sensational innings from Blue Jays knuckleballer R.A. Dickey and solo home runs from Colby Rasmus and Rajai Davis.

With their postseason aspirations dimming by the day, the Yankees look to Hughes to figure things out over the final two weeks of the season. A 16-game winner a season ago, Hughes has four victories in 2013 and is 0-6 over his previous 12 appearances - a dismal stretch that resulted in him being sacked from the rotation at the beginning of the month. Toronto counters with veteran J.A. Happ, who would also like to end a rough season on a high note.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, YES (New York), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Phil Hughes (4-13, 5.07 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (4-6, 5.15)

Hughes' 2 1/2-month winless spell includes back-to-back starts against the Blue Jays in which he went 0-1 while surrendering seven runs over 10 2/3 innings. The 27-year-old native of Mission Viejo, Calif., fared well in his return to the rotation, limiting Baltimore to a run on three hits over three innings of a 6-5 New York victory. Hughes is 5-6 with one save and a 4.84 ERA in 19 starts and seven relief appearances against Toronto.

Like his Wednesday counterpart, Happ had his share of struggles in consecutive starts against the Yankees late last month. The 30-year-old Illinois native lost both outings after being tagged for nine runs on 10 hits - including three homers - over 10 innings. Happ has been particularly subpar at the Rogers Centre this season, going 1-5 with a 4.93 ERA and six home runs allowed in 34 2/3 innings there.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto announced Monday that 1B Edwin Encarnacion (wrist) and LHP Brett Cecil (elbow) were being shut down for the remainder of the season.

2. Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia is 1-for-14 with seven strikeouts in his career against Hughes.

3. New York leads the season series 13-4.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 7, Yankees 5