The Yankees can clinch a tie for the AL East with a win as David Phelps hosts Jon Lester and the Red Sox. Lester’s ERA is approaching five as he’s pitched poorly down the stretch, with five homers and 14 walks allowed in 31 1/3 September innings. Phelps takes over from Ivan Nova in the Yankees rotation. He owns a 3.81 ERA as a starter, with 50 K in 52 innings.

The Orioles need to win to maintain a shot at the AL East title. Miguel Gonzalez takes on the Rays and James Shields in Tampa Bay. Gonzalez owns a 5.17 ERA in three starts against the Rays, allowing 11 walks in 15 2/3 innings. Shields can match his 2011 season total of 16 wins with a victory tonight. Only nine of his 24 home runs allowed came at home this season.

Mat Latos faced Chris Carpenter as the Cardinals try to clinch a wild card slot with a win. Latos has the 11th best ERA in the majors since Aug. 1, a great ranking considering his home park. Carpenter makes his third start, and his control is right on as he walked one batter in his first 11 innings.

Texas place their second match point as they try to clinch against the Athletics again. An Oakland win leaves the teams tied for the AL West lead, and turns tomorrow’s game into a playoff. Matt Harrison takes on Travis Blackley. Matt’s ERA is slightly lower than last season, but he stayed in games longer, helping him to increase his win total by at least four. Blackley managed just 18 innings in four starts against Texas this season allowing 14 runs for a 7.00 ERA. He only walked three, but that’s probably because Texas batters saw lots of pitches they liked, as they banged out 25 hits.

Finally, the Giants and Dodgers game may or may not matter, but LA hopes to stay alive as they host Barry Zito against Chris Capuano. Zito allowed 12 of his 20 homers on the road this season, which is worse than it looks due to pitching 24 fewer innings on the road. Capuano could not sustain his early season success, with an ERA of 4.71 since the All-Star break.

Enjoy!