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Yankees look to maintain best record in majors

Sep 28, 2006 - 1:28 PM Baltimore (68-90) at NY Yankees (96-62) 7:05 pm EDT

BRONX, New York (Ticker) - The New York Yankees already have clinched their ninth straight division title and even set their rotation for the opening round of the postseason. The only thing left to do in the regular season is clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Yankees look to maintain the top spot in the chase for the best record in the American League when they play Thursday's finale of a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles.

Jason Giambi and Jorge Posada each homered and drove in four runs as New York extended its winning streak to three games with Wednesday's 16-5 triumph against the Orioles. Coupled with Detroit's 7-4 loss to Toronto, the Yankees claimed sole possession of the best record in the major leagues.

Looking to improve to 13-6 against Baltimore this season, New York gives the ball to rookie Darrell Rasner (3-0, 2.50 ERA). The 25-year-old Rasner has won both outings at Yankee Stadium this season, sporting a 0.90 ERA.

The Orioles try to break a four-game skid behind Daniel Cabrera (8-10, 5.05), who has been saddled with a 10.50 ERA in his last four road starts. Cabrera has a mark of 0-2 with a 5.19 ERA in three lifetime starts here.

Baltimore has dropped 48 of its last 72 road games, falling to 28-49 away from Camden Yards this season. The Orioles are on the verge of joining Tampa Bay and Kansas City as the only AL teams with 50 road defeats in 2006.