The New York Yankees will head to Camden Yards to face the Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of a best-of-five American League Division Series that starts on Sunday. Ace lefty C.C. Sabathia (15-6, 3.38 ERA) will take the hill for the Yanks while the 6-foot-6 right-hander Jason Hammel (8-6, 3.43 ERA) will go for the Birds.

Winning their third straight AL East title, the Bronx Bombers performed exactly how many expected them to. However, the Orioles have shocked the baseball world with their 2012 performance thus far, as they weren't even slated to make it into October.

Sabathia, who has struggled the past two postseasons, will look to duplicate his 2009 playoff performance (3-1, 1.98 ERA).

Yankee skipper Joe Girardi recently acknowledged Sabathia's struggles and reliability to the New York Yankees official website.

"I know it's been a season where it hasn't been vintage C.C., but here's a guy with an ERA under 3.50 and we're not calling it vintage CC."

Given the fact that disappointing starter Ivan Nova was left off the Division Series roster, it's imperative that the workhorse lefty comes through for New York.

Nonetheless, Buck Showalter's team should not be taken lightly by the Yankees, as the club compiled 93 wins and were neck and neck with them in the AL East for a good portion of the season. To top that off, the Orioles even eliminated the two-year running AL champion Texas Rangers in a one game Wild Card playoff on Friday.

Oddly enough, the Birds and the Bombers have each won nine games a piece in their 18 regular season matchups. The Divisional Series will ultimately and appropriately decide just who the better team is.

CLICK HERE to watch Game 1 of the ALDS between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles via live stream. Coverage will begin on Sunday, Oct 7 at 6 PM ET.

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Mlb, Television