VENUE: U.S. Cellular Field
The New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox are locked in tight division races. New York, though, has the luxury of being in position to settle for the wild card.
The playoff contenders meet at U.S. Cellular Field for the first time Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.
New York (78-49) and Tampa Bay are tied atop the AL East and for the best record in baseball. Chicago (69-58) trails Central Division leader Minnesota by 3 1/2 games.
The Yankees own a 5 1/2-game lead over Boston for the wild card.
New York manager Joe Girardi won't only be answering questions about his current team. Girardi, whose contract ends after this season, plans to address the Chicago media Friday about rumors of his interest in managing the Cubs - the club he began his playing career with in 1989 and rooted for as a youngster. He claims this will be the last day he discusses the topic.
"It's just another thing you have to deal with," he told MLB.com. "I understand people want to know what you're thinking, but my responsibility is here."
Girardi's team opened this seven-game trip by losing two of three at Toronto, falling 6-3 on Wednesday. Thursday was New York's first off day after 20 straight games.
Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira had strong series to help the Yankees take two of three at home from Chicago from April 30-May 2. Jeter was 6 for 12 with six RBIs and Teixeira went 6 for 11.
The Yankees captain has recorded at least a hit in his last 11 games against the White Sox, going 20 for 47 with 14 runs and nine RBIs.
Right fielder Nick Swisher expects to return to the lineup after sitting out Wednesday with a sore left knee.
New York has lost the last four starts by A.J. Burnett (9-11, 4.80), who is 0-3 with a 6.08 ERA in that span. He gave up six runs and a season-high 12 hits in a 6-0 loss to Seattle last Friday.
"I'm not going to give up out there, no matter what happens," Burnett said. "At this point in the season, it's a matter of getting on track to get us to October. That's what I worry about in my next start."
The right-hander is 4-1 with a 0.92 ERA in six outings versus AL Central foes. He hasn't faced the White Sox this year, and is 2-3 with a 4.14 ERA in six career starts against them.
His opponent, Freddy Garcia (10-5, 5.08), has gone 0-3 with a 6.14 ERA in his last six starts against New York.
Despite that, Garcia has favorable matchups against several Yankees regulars. Teixeira is 0 for 13, Swisher is 0 for 9, Jorge Posada has gone 3 for 17 and Curtis Granderson is 6 for 33 with 12 strikeouts against him.
The veteran right-hander has gone 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA in his last three outings. He gave up four runs over 6 2-3 innings of a 6-5, 11-inning loss at Kansas City on Saturday.
Chicago beat Baltimore 8-0 on Thursday to take two of three. The White Sox had dropped their previous five series.
