Yankees @ Orioles Preview: Fighting for a Wild Card Spot
Both the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles are on the cusp of the playoffs.
Currently the Orioles sit in a better position than the Yankees, only 1.5 wins away from taking the Tampa Bay Ray‘s current spot as the second AL Wild Card team. Â The Rays are behind the Texas Rangers who have a firm three-game grasp on the No.1 Wild Card Spot being up three games. Â However, you cannot count the Yankees out yet.
On Tuesday, the Yanks were able to pull off a comeback victory against Baltimore, which puts them only two games behind the Rays.  New York rallied for four runs in the eighth inning to come from behind to win, 7-5.  It was the  second game of a four-game set with the Orioles.  The series is currently split 1-1.
The series is made all the more interesting by the fact that both teams are playing for playoff hopes. Â Both teams are trying to take the Rays Wild Card spot, the Cleveland Indians are also in the mix, in a AL Wild Card race that looks like it may come down to the final games.
The O’s will be sending Scott Feldman to the mound. Â Feldman pitched a whole game in his last outing, shutting out the Chicago White Sox in a 4-0 Baltimore win. Â He allowed only five hits, and it marked the first time an O’s pitcher has had a complete game this season. Â Overall, Feldman’s ERA is at a 3.63.
The Yankees will be countering with Andy Pettitte. Â His last outing was against the Boston Red Sox. Â He pitched a decent six innings, giving up three runs on five hits. Â However, the bullpen failed him and it was a Yanks loss. Â Pettitte has had five consecutive quality starts, so expect him to perform at a similar level today, in such a high-stakes game.
Today’s game will come on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.  All MLB home teams will commemorate the anniversary with pre-game tributes and all ball players and  personnel will wear an American flag patch on their caps.
The Orioles are the favorites to win this one with a -135 moneyline at Bovada compared to the Yanks moneyline set at +115. Â The games starts at 7:05 p.m. ET.
