Yanks Go Yard Series Preview Show: Orioles-Yankees (8/30-9/1)

With September now right around the corner, the New York Yankees (70-63)’ season is continuing to slip away from them. With a chance to pick up key games in both the AL East and the Wild Card race, the Bombers missed their opportunity in a disappointing series loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, a team who they were 12-1 against coming into the matchup in Canada. The surprise of this series was that Hiroki Kuroda pitched his third straight clunker of a game. His struggles have come on the most inopportune time for the Yankees. New York did receive a scare as well with Robinson Cano being hit in the hand by J.A Happ on Tuesday. However, it looks like the second baseman will be available for the Yankees on Friday when they start their final homestand of the year against a team that also needs wins to make up ground in the pennant chase. Can the Yankees cut down their deficit of eight games in the division and five games in the Wild Card?

will look to add to his total of 45 doubles this weekend in the Bronx. (Photo Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)

The Baltimore Orioles (71-61) look a lot different than when the Yankees played them in July. Baltimore acquired pitchers Bud Norris and Francisco Rodriguez to help bolster the rotation and the bullpen respectively. With the waiver trade deadline this Saturday, the Orioles are also looking to improve on their offense as they have acquired Mariners’ outfielder Michael Morse. Baltimore picked up a big win Thursday in Fenway Park to avoid being swept by the Red Sox, leaving them 6.5 games back in the AL East and 3.5 games behind in the Wild Card race. All eyes in Baltimore continue to center around Chris Davis, as he tries to hold off Miguel Cabrera‘s quest for a second Triple Crown with a league leading 47 home runs. The problem for Buck Showalter‘s team lies in the closer spot as Jim Johnson does have 40 saves, but has also blown nine save chances this season.

On this episode of the Yanks Go Yard Series Preview Show (recorded Wednesday), presented by BaldVinny.com, I discussed the Yankees’ disappointing series in Toronto and how the playoff hopes for the Bronx Bombers might just be on life support as they head home. To preview the Orioles, Domenic Vadala from Birds Watcher joined the show to talk about Jim Johnson as the closer, Orioles’ potential waiver moves, more on Chris Davis, as well as players to watch in this weekend’s series in New York. Plus, we both discuss potential impact players that will be on the roster when they expand on Sunday that aren’t here already.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE ORIOLES-YANKEES SERIES PREVIEW SHOW!!!