CHICAGO (Interstat) — The New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox open a pivotal four-game series Monday night at Guaranteed Rate Field, with both teams jockeying for position in their respective division races. New York (59-45) holds a four-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East, while Chicago (55-49) sits 2½ games back in the AL Central. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CDT under cloudy skies with temperatures near 86 degrees. Left-hander Ryan Weathers (4-2) takes the mound for the Yankees. The 26-year-old has been inconsistent but is coming off a strong outing Saturday at Philadelphia, allowing one earned run on six hits over 5⅔ innings in a 3-1 win. In his previous start, he surrendered five earned runs in 4⅔ innings against Pittsburgh. Chicago counters with a lineup featuring rookie sensation Munetaka Murakami, who is batting .310 with 32 home runs and 89 RBIs. The Japanese first baseman went 3-for-5 with two home runs and six RBIs in Sunday’s 12-3 rout of Houston. Over his last 10 games, Murakami has four homers and 12 RBIs. The Yankees have won four of their last five, including a two-game sweep at Philadelphia over the weekend. New York took two of three from Chicago in their only previous meeting this season June 16-18 at Yankee Stadium, scoring 24 runs in the two wins. Chicago has split its last six games and is 6-4 in its last 10. The White Sox lost two of three to Houston before Sunday’s blowout victory. The Interstat simulation projects a 7-6 Yankees win. New York is a -1.5 run favorite, with the over/under set at 8½. Following Monday’s opener, the teams play Tuesday and Wednesday before the Yankees travel across town to face the Cubs in a weekend series. Chicago heads to Tampa Bay for a three-game set starting Friday.