New York @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 16, 2018 ) Tampa Bay 3, NY Yankees 1

The visiting New York Yankees can strengthen their hold on the top wild-card spot and eliminate the Tampa Bay Rays from postseason contention in one fell swoop on Monday when the American League East rivals play the opener of a four-game series at Tropicana Field. The Yankees (95-60) are clinging to a 1 1/2-game lead over Oakland, while the Rays (87-68) reside 6 1/2 behind the Athletics with seven contests remaining on their slate.

Miguel Andujar had two of New York's four hits in Sunday's 6-3 setback to major league-worst Baltimore, giving the rookie three multi-hit performances in his last four outings. Giancarlo Stanton recorded just his second hit in 20 at-bats over his last five games, however the slugger is 18-for-57 with three homers and 10 RBIs versus the Rays this season. Tommy Pham has three homers, seven RBIs and eight runs scored during his seven-game hitting streak for Tampa Bay, which boasts a 16-5 mark in September and majors-best 25-7 record since Aug. 19. C.J. Cron homered in Sunday's 5-2 win over Toronto giving him six RBIs and three runs scored during his five-game hitting streak.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, YES (New York), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Luis Severino (18-8, 3.38 ERA) vs. Rays RH Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.25)

Severino turned in his second straight one-run performance on Wednesday to post his first win since Aug. 26 in a 10-1 romp over Boston. The 24-year-old Dominican owns a 2-1 mark with a 3.54 ERA in three starts versus Tampa Bay this season, although he surrendered season highs in runs (seven) and hits (11) over five innings of a 7-6 setback on July 23. Severino has stymied Kevin Kiermaier (3-for-23, 11 strikeouts) in his career, although Jake Bauers is 3-for-5 with a homer in a small sample size versus the hurler.

Castillo is expected to make his 11th start this season before likely giving way to left-hander Ryan Yarbrough. The 24-year-old Castillo last pitched on Friday, allowing a solo homer in one inning of a no-decision at Toronto. He owns a 1-0 mark in six appearances this season versus the Yankees, surrendering three runs and six hits over seven innings while issuing five walks and striking out five.

WALK-OFFS

1. Per New York manager Aaron Boone, SS Didi Gregorius will be re-evaluated in a few days after sustaining cartilage damage in his wrist while sliding to home plate with Saturday's game-winning run.

2. Tampa Bay SS Willy Adames is 10-for-29 with two homers and six RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak.

3. Yankees INF Gleyber Torres is just 4-for-32 with 13 strikeouts this season against the Rays.

PREDICTION: Yankees 3, Rays 2