The New York Yankees try to keep their fleeting postseason hopes alive on Monday when they play the first of three games against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium.
New York's postseason chances took a big hit the last time it faced Chicago, as the hapless White Sox swept a three-game set from the Yankees back in early August. In fact, Chicago has beaten New York six straight times and is 8-2 against them over the last two seasons.
The Yankees were denied a three-game sweep of their own on Sunday, as the Baltimore Orioles beat them, 7-3.
New York now finds itself 3 1/2 games back in the wild card chase with 26 games to go.
On Monday, the Yankees will turn to right-hander Phil Hughes, who has lost 11 of 13 decisions since May 15 and pitched to a 6.46 ERA in the month of August. Hughes hasn't pitched, though, since last Monday in Toronto when he allowed five runs (3 earned) in 4 2/3 innings to drop him to 4-13 on the year to go along with a 4.91 ERA.
"Every time you have one of these outings, I try and look at the positive," Hughes said. "I still have the opportunity to pitch in big games where it really matters, and that's all I can do."
Hughes has had some success versus the White Sox and is 3-2 with a 1.38 ERA in 10 games (6 starts).
Chicago, meanwhile, will counter with lefty Jose Quintana, who beat the Yankees back on Aug. 5 and is 2-0 in two starts against them with a 4.97 ERA.
Quintana, who is 7-4 with a 3.66 ERA, did not get a decision on Tuesday against Houston, as he allowed three runs and eight hits in 7 2/3 innings of his team's 4-3 win.
Chicago entered its weekend series in Boston having won 10 of 12 games, but were swept by the Red Sox, culminating with a 7-6 loss on Sunday.
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