New York @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 26, 2018 ) NY Yankees 7, Tampa Bay 8

The New York Yankees were unable to take that next step toward hosting the American League wild-card game after seeing their late rally fall short in an 8-7 setback to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. The Yankees (97-61) won't have long to dust themselves off as they return to Tropicana Field on Thursday afternoon when they conclude their four-game series against the Rays (88-70).

Neil Walker's three-run homer in the first inning was all New York could muster before its four-run uprising in the ninth versus Tampa Bay, who saw Tommy Pham extend his hitting streak to 10 games with a solo shot in the third. Pham is 16-for-36 during his hitting streak and carries a career-best on-base run of 28 straight contests heading into Thursday's tilt versus the Yankees, against whom he is 5-for-12 with four extra-base hits (three doubles, one homer). While Tampa Bay was mathematically eliminated earlier this week, New York holds a 1 1/2-game lead over Oakland for the honor of hosting next Wednesday's wild-card game. Luke Voit had three singles to increase his hit total to five in the series and improve to 23-for-76 with 15 runs scored in September.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, YES (New York), FS Sun Tampa Bay

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (8-7, 3.77 ERA) vs. Rays RH Jaime Schultz (2-1, 4.55)

Sabathia snapped a five-start winless stretch with a strong outing against Baltimore on Friday, allowing two runs on six hits in six innings of a 10-8 triumph. The 38-year-old has struggled versus Tampa Bay this season, dropping both starts while permitting the Rays to record 19 hits and bat .358 against him. Matt Duffy (5-for-9) and Carlos Gomez (9-for-21) have enjoyed success versus Sabathia, who needs to pitch seven innings to reach 155 for the season and receive a $500,000 bonus.

Schultz will receive his first start of the season in the series finale after striking out two in one inning against the Yankees on Monday. That outing likely gave the 27-year-old a boost in confidence after he was shredded for four runs on three hits while recording just one out at Toronto on Thursday. Schultz has made three appearances versus New York this season, allowing two runs on one hit in four innings without picking up a decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York OF Andrew McCutchen is 5-for-11 with five runs scored in the series.

2. Tampa Bay OF Kevin Kiermaier sustained a hairline fracture in his right foot during Wednesday's game..

3. Yankees DH Aaron Judge is 4-for-12 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the series.

PREDICTION: Yankees 3, Rays 2