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A-Rod eyes MVP as Yankees go for division title

Sep 28, 2007 - 1:04 PM Ny Yankees (92-67) at Baltimore (68-91) ,7:05 pm EDT

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees will make their last effort to win the American League East Division when they open their final series of the regular season against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.

The Yankees sit just two games behind the Boston Red Sox (94-65) in the AL East. New York has already punched its postseason ticket and will enter the playoffs with at least the AL wild card.

Despite questions on whether he will opt out of his contract at season's end, Rodriguez has put together an MVP-caliber season, leading the majors with 53 home runs and 151 RBIs while batting .309. The 32-year-old third baseman is looking to win his third AL Most Valuable Player award in five years.

Mike Mussina (11-10, 4.96 ERA) will try to earn his way into the playoff rotation when he goes for his fourth straight win on Friday.

Mussina, who lost three consecutive decisions before putting together the winning streak, has been dominant during his victories. The 38-year-old righthander has allowed just three runs and 15 hits over 19 2/3 innings during the hot streak.

Jon Leicester (2-3, 6.51) will try to earn the win after suffering back-to-back losses when he opposes the Yankees.

Leicester, who hasn't been given any run support during his last two losses, surrendered three runs and seven hits in eight innings in his last outing as the Orioles were shutout by the Texas Rangers, 3-0, on Sunday.