Baltimore @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 26, 2018 ) NY Yankees 5, Baltimore 3

The New York Yankees were eliminated from the American League East race by the first-place Boston Red Sox and now turn their focus toward landing a wild-card berth. The Yankees hold the top spot and are eight games clear of the Tampa Bay Rays entering the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Friday.

New York suffered an 11-6 loss to Boston on Thursday to see the division race conclude and is just 4-6 over its last 10 games. But the Yankees still have a chance at securing a 100-win campaign for the first time since 2009 as they need to go 7-3 down the stretch to reach the milestone. Baltimore has set the franchise mark for most losses (108) during the club's Baltimore era that began in 1954 and stand just three setbacks shy of matching the overall mark of 111 by the St. Louis Browns in 1939. The Orioles edged the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 on Wednesday for only their fourth victory in the past 18 games.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Yefry Ramirez (1-6, 5.50 ERA) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia (7-7, 3.80)

Ramirez lost to the Chicago White Sox in his last turn when he gave up one run and four hits over 5 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old rookie matched his season best of seven strikeouts against Chicago and has fanned 55 in 55 2/3 innings. Ramirez is 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA in three appearances (two starts) against the Yankees.

Sabathia is 0-3 with a 6.35 ERA while struggling over his last five starts. The 38-year-old served up three homers in 2 1/3 innings in his last turn as he gave up five runs and seven hits while losing to the Blue Jays. Sabathia is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in three starts against Baltimore this season and 19-11 with a 3.69 ERA in 44 career turns.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees LF Giancarlo Stanton hit a grand slam on Thursday and is batting just .143 with two homers in 63 at-bats in September.

2. Baltimore C Chance Sisco (concussion) didn't make the trip to New York and is hopeful of returning to action early next week.

3. New York LHP Aroldis Chapman (knee) made his first appearance since Aug. 21 on Thursday and served up a three-run homer to Boston's Mookie Betts while retiring two batters.

PREDICTION: Yankees 13, Orioles 6