New York @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2018 ) NY Yankees 5, Oakland 1

The New York Yankees used a late charge to even the series and attempt to increase their lead for the top wild card in the American League when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday for the rubber match of their three-game set. The Yankees scored five runs over the final three innings in Tuesday's 5-1 triumph to move 4 1/2 games ahead of Oakland in the wild-card race.

Aaron Hicks drove in two runs while Luke Voit and Adeiny Hechavarria belted solo homers for the Yankees, who avoided their first three-game slide since beginning August with five consecutive setbacks. Voit has gone deep in each of his last three contests, giving him seven blasts over his last 12 games. The Athletics managed only two hits in Tuesday's defeat and fell 3 1/2 games behind first-place Houston in the AL West but remained 5 1/2 ahead of Seattle for the second wild-card spot. One of those hits was a solo homer by Stephen Piscotty, who matched the career high of 22 shots he recorded in 2016 with St. Lous.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, YES (New York), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Luis Severino (17-6, 3.32 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Mike Fiers (10-6, 3.38)

Severino reached double digits in strikeouts (10) against Detroit on Friday for the first time since June 4 - also versus the Tigers - but did not factor in the decision after allowing three runs and six hits in six innings. The 24-year-old Dominican has won two straight decisions after a stretch during which he lost four of five. Severino is 1-0 with a 3.50 ERA in three career starts against Oakland - with the victory coming at home on May 13, when he gave up one run and five hits over six frames.

After allowing a total of four runs in his first four starts since being acquired from Detroit, Fiers was tagged for five on seven hits - three homers - over 3 2/3 innings against Seattle on Friday but escaped with a no-decision. The 33-year-old Floridian has not lost since July 13 at Houston, going 4-0 with a 2.57 ERA over his last eight turns. Fiers is 1-1 with a 5.54 ERA in five career starts against New York, with both decisions coming this season while with the Tigers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Piscotty is riding a seven-game hitting streak during which he has gone 10-for-25 with four homers and 11 RBIs.

2. New York has won only seven of its last 24 visits to Oakland.

3. Oakland 3B Matt Chapman is 4-for-11 over his last three contests.

PREDICTION: Yankees 3, Athletics 1