First pitch: Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Los Angeles -140, New York +130, Total: 8.5

The Yankees will be in a must-win situation when they host the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Los Angeles had lost two of its previous three games before defeating New York on Monday and the team will be hoping to get hot down the stretch. The Dodgers know the importance of entering the postseason with some momentum and this series in Yankee Stadium is a perfect chance to get some of their hitters going. The Yankees, meanwhile, are falling behind in the Wild Card race after losing each of their past two games. They desperately need to win this game on Tuesday and will likely need to rattle off a five-game winning streak at some point down the stretch. The starters in this Tuesday matchup are set to be LHP Julio Urias (5-2, 3.69 ERA, 76 K) for Los Angeles and LHP C.C. Sabathia (8-12, 4.27 ERA, 130 K) for New York. One trend that sticks out when looking at this game is that home underdogs with a money line of +100 or higher are 400-330 against the money line - with a starting pitcher who strikes out five or more batters per start, stranding 6.9 or less runners on base per game on the season - since 1997.

Julio Urias has been outstanding for Los Angeles recently, allowing three earned runs total over his past three starts. Urias has pitched 17.1 innings in that time, striking out 20 batters and walking just three. He’ll need to do his best to miss bats in this one, as he does throw hard and the Yankees might just make him pay if he makes any mistakes high in the zone. He has, however, allowed only one homer in his past 10 appearances and prides himself on his ability to keep the ball in the park. Offensively, SS Corey Seager (.319, 25 HR, 69 RBI) is a player to watch in this game. Seager was 2-for-5 with an RBI on Monday and has now gotten two or more hits in six of his past nine games. He doesn’t hit lefties quite as well as he does righties (he’s hitting only .269 versus lefties), but should have no problem taking care of Sabathia’s off-speed stuff on Tuesday. It’s also worth keeping an eye on OF Yasiel Puig (.265, 10 HR, 40 RBI) in this one. Puig has not been an everyday player since coming back up to the majors, but he does have three homers over his past six appearances. He is capable of providing a spark and should get a chance to play against the Yankees’ lefty on Tuesday.

The Yankees have lost two straight games and they could not have come at a worse time. New York can’t afford to lose this game on Tuesday and C.C. Sabathia is surely aware of that. The lefty has had an up-and-down season for the Yankees, but he does have experience in big games and this is a spot that New York should be comfortable having him in. Sabathia has allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his past four starts, but he did go only four innings against Tampa Bay in his most recent outing (Sep. 8). The Yankees will need him to work deeper into this game, as they can’t have too much pressure being put on their bullpen. Offensively, the Yankees can use a big game from Gary Sanchez (.333, 13 HR, 24 RBI). Sanchez has been the catalyst for New York’s late playoff push and the team is counting on him on a nightly basis. He should be able to make an impact in this game, as he will be facing a lefty that throws a very hard fastball. If Urias gives him anything hittable then Sanchez will likely send it over the centerfield wall.