(Best E Casino) -- One of baseball's all-time grandest stages will presumably hold its final act tonight, when the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles play what's expected to be the last game at historic Yankee Stadium.

The hallowed venue made its grand opening on April 18, 1923, when Babe Ruth christened the new ballpark with a home run in a 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox, and has since become the most-recognized sports venue in the nation. In addition to the Yankees' rich history, the stadium has also been the site of many pro and college football games -- including the NFL Championship of 1958 when the Baltimore Colts beat the New York Giants in the first sudden- death overtime game, and Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne's "win one for the Gipper" speech in 1928 -- as well as numerous championship boxing matches and papal visits. The Yankees, who wrapped up nine of their 26 World Series titles on 161st Street and River Avenue, will move across the street to a $1.3 billion upgrade next April.

It's still conceivable that the current Yankee Stadium could host a few playoff games next month, but the chances of New York making the postseason are virtually nil right now. The Bronx Bombers are 6 1/2 games behind rival Boston for the lead in the American League wild-card race with just seven left in the regular season.

The Yankees have reached the playoffs in every season since 1995.

New York has been doing its best to provide its longtime home with a fitting tribute, however. The Yankees have gone 7-2 so far on their final homestand and won their fourth straight game with Saturday's 1-0 edging of the Orioles.

The game's only run came in the bottom of the ninth inning, when Robinson Cano singled home pinch-runner Brett Gardner with two outs.

Derek Jeter began the Yankees' final at-bat by getting hit in the hand by a pitch from Jim Miller (0-2). Gardner came on to run for the star shortstop and stole second before Bobby Abreu was walked intentionally, then took third on Alex Rodriguez's fielder's choice grounder.

Jamie Walker came on for Baltimore and struck out Jason Giambi before Xavier Nady was given an intentional walk to load the bases for Cano, who drove the first pitch he saw into center field to plate Gardner with the winning run.

Mariano Rivera (6-5) notched the win with a perfect top of the ninth. Alfredo Aceves started for New York and tossed six innings of five-hit ball with three walks and three strikeouts.

Brian Burres went the first seven innings for Baltimore and yielded just three hits with two strikeouts and no walks. The Orioles have lost four straight -- all by one run.

Jeter's injury puts the all-time hits leader (1,275) at "The House that Ruth Built" in danger of having to miss the facility's final game. X-rays taken after Saturday's contest were negative, however, and the longtime Yankee shortstop is expected to be in the lineup tonight.

Andy Pettitte will get the honor of taking the mound for New York in the stadium's grand finale. The veteran left-hander is one of the winningest pitchers in Yankee Stadium history, having amassed a 114-56 all-time record there that includes a 94-42 mark in regular-season play.

Pettitte won't be entering this outing on a strong run, however. The 36-year- old has lost five straight starts for the first time in his 14-year-career and has a 6.91 earned run average over that poor stretch. Over his last 10 mound trips, the longtime Yankee is 1-7 with a 6.45 ERA.

He's had plenty of success when facing Baltimore over the course of his career, however. In 36 games (34 starts) versus the Orioles, Pettitte is 24-6 with a 3.73 ERA, and he's won both his starts against tonight's foe this season.

Rookie Chris Waters will make his first and last start at the current Yankee Stadium for Baltimore tonight. The left-hander comes in off his first career shutout as well, which took place last Tuesday in Toronto.

Against the Blue Jays, Waters yielded just four hits and two walks to improve to 3-3 in nine starts since being promoted from Triple-A Norfolk in August.

Waters, who will also be facing the Yankees for the first time, is 2-0 with a 2.42 ERA in four road starts this year.

The Yankees own a 10-7 advantage in this year's season series with the Orioles and have won five of the eight matchups between the AL East members in the Bronx.