Yankees Vs. Athletics Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers

Two teams vying for a playoff spot meet when the New York Yankees host the Oakland Athletics in the first of a three-game series on Friday night.

Yankees ace CC Sabathia (13-6, 3.63 ERA) takes the hill as New York attempts to keep or build on their current one game lead in the American League East division over the Baltimore Orioles. Sabathia has lost his last four decisions dating back to late August.

[YES Network: Projected ALDS Roster]

Oakland, which currently holds an AL Wild Card spot, along with the Orioles, by four games over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and 5½ games over the Tampa Bay Rays, will send Jarrod Parker (11-8, 3.51 ERA) to the mound.

Parker has defeated Wild Card combatants in his last two starts, first getting the 5-2 win on Sept. 15 over Baltimore by allowing two earned runs over seven innings, then notching a 3-1 victory over the Angels on Sept. 10 in which he tossed seven innings and gave up one run and four hits in seven innings of work.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET in Yankee Stadium and can be seen on MLB Network.

For more on the Yankees, head over to Pinstriped Bible, and for all your Oakland coverage, be sure to visit Athletics Nation. For all things baseball, check out Baseball Nation.