New York @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2018 ) NY Yankees 4, Tampa Bay 1

Veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen hopes to build off a productive night as his New York Yankees look to create more cushion in their fight for home field in the American League Wild Card Game when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. McCutchen, acquired from San Francisco in late August, was batting .212 with the Yankees before recording a double and a solo homer in Monday’s 4-1 victory.

McCutchen (five homers, nine RBIs with New York) could be important in the playoffs if the Yankees decide to use Giancarlo Stanton or Aaron Judge as a designated hitter and Aaron Hicks, who left Monday’s game with a tight hamstring, is not available. New York (96-60) leads Oakland by 1 1/2 games for the AL's top wild-card spot with six contests left on the schedule. Tampa Bay was officially eliminated from contention for the second wild card after managing two hits in Monday’s setback, falling to 48-27 at home and losing for just the third time in 10 games overall. Tommy Pham had a double for the Rays in the series opener, extending his hitting streak to eight games and his on-base run to 26 contests.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Luis Severino (18-8, 3.38 ERA) vs. Rays RH Jake Faria (4-3, 5.17)

Severino produced his second straight one-run performance Wednesday to post his first win since Aug. 26 in a 10-1 romp over Boston. The 24-year-old Dominican has 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. Jake Bauers is 3-for-5 with a homer versus Severino, who is 7-2 with a 3.06 ERA in 13 career appearances (nine starts) against the Rays.

Faria makes his first start since Aug. 15 when he limited the Yankees to one run on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings in a no-decision. The 25-year-old California native has made five relief appearances, sandwiching that one start since coming off the disabled list, while allowing six runs and 12 hits across 11 2/3 innings without being involved in a decision. Brett Gardner is 2-for-5 with a homer against Faria, who is 0-0 with a 5.23 ERA in three career starts versus the Yankees.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay SS Willy Adames has hit safely in his last eight games with an at-bat, going 10-for-29 in that stretch.

2. The Yankees have a league-best 252 homers and are one behind the 2016 Baltimore Orioles for the fifth most in baseball history.

3. Rays C Nick Ciuffo exited Monday’s game with a bruised hand and is considered day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Rays 2