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Blue Jays for for third straight win vs. a division leader

Sep 29, 2006 - 1:22 PM Toronto (85-74) at NY Yankees (96-63) 7:05 pm EDT

BRONX, New York (Ticker) - Although the Toronto Blue Jays were eliminated from playoff contention last week, they are playing a big role in determining who gets home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

The Blue Jays seek a third consecutive victory against a team gunning for the best record in American League when they play Friday's opener of a three-game series with the New York Yankees.

Toronto is coming off back-to-back triumphs at Detroit, dropping the Tigers one game behind the Yankees in the overall league standings. The victories also helped the Blue Jays attain a one-game lead in the race for second place in the AL East.

New York moved into sole possession of first place in the AL with a 16-5 win against Baltimore on Wednesday. However, the Yankees did not record a hit until the ninth inning of a 7-1 loss to the Orioles the following evening.

New York's offense looks to get back on track against Gustavo Chacin (9-3, 4.90 ERA), who has gone 2-5 with a 5.06 ERA in seven lifetime starts against the Yankees. The lefthander took a 4-1 loss in his last start here on April 30 despite allowing just two runs in six innings.

Chacin has gone 3-0 with a 2.55 ERA in four starts this month. He will be opposed by Mike Mussina (14-7, 3.57), who has gone just 1-4 with a 4.19 ERA since the beginning of August.

Before starting Game Two of the AL Division Series, Mussina attempts to reach 15 wins in a regular season for the 10th time in his career. The righthander has gone 2-0 with a 2.66 ERA in three meetings with the Blue Jays this season, improving to 20-11 with a 3.42 ERA in 38 lifetime starts against them.