New York @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 27, 2011 ) NY Yankees 3, Tampa Bay 5

THE STORY: The Tampa Bay Rays could have only dreamed they’d be in this spot around Labor Day. With a victory in the finale of the regular season, they are assured at least a one-game playoff for the wild card Thursday at home. The Rays are in good shape, sending David Price to the mound with everything on the line against the visiting New York Yankees on Wednesday night. Tampa Bay has won five of its last six games to tie the Boston Red Sox in the American League wild-card race. The Yankees, who have clinched home field throughout the playoffs, have lost three in a row.

TV: 7:10 p.m. EST; YES (New York), SunSports (Tampa Bay).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees TBA vs. Rays LH David Price (12-13, 3.35 ERA).

Yankees manager Joe Girardi is uncertain about who would start the season finale. He will likely use a host of pitchers, including Phil Hughes. Who will actually pitch the first inning is up in the air.

Price is just 1-3 since Aug. 17, but he has not pitched poorly. He has allowed 12 earned runs in 44 2/3 innings (2.42 ERA) in that stretch. Price’s two throwing errors were damaging in the loss last Friday against Toronto. He is 1-1 vs. the Yankees with a 4.26 ERA in 2011, but 4-2 in his career against them with a 3.67 ERA in 76 innings. Nick Swisher is 9-for-21 with a home run against Price.

ABOUT THE YANKEES (97-64): Despite only one day off until the first game of the playoffs, Girardi said he will play all his normal starters in the regular-season finale. Derek Jeter was the one regular who got the day off Tuesday. Mark Teixeira, who sat out Monday, had two hits Tuesday. Curtis Granderson may need a night off, with just one hit in 22 at bats over the last six games. Russell Martin hit into a triple play and belted his 18th home run Tuesday, one short of his career high with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007. Eduardo Nunez played right field Monday and shortstop Tuesday and is 11-for-29 his last 10 games.

ABOUT THE RAYS (90-71): Matt Joyce continues to finish the season strong. His game-breaking, three-run homer Tuesday gave him nine RBIs in his last 10 games. He’s 11-for-32 in that stretch. Evan Longoria only has a pair of hits in the series, but the third baseman has been on base all eight times, including five walks. Ben Zobrist had two RBIs to equal his career high with 91. Shortstop Reid Brignac has given the Rays a boost, going 4-for-13 with an RBI the last three games to raise his average to .194. Leadoff batter Desmond Jennings has struggled, going 3-for-34 with nine strikeouts the last nine games.

FINAL PITCH: The Rays are 16-10 in September, the best record in the American League East. They are 11-3 at home.