New York Yankees-Baltimore Orioles Series Preview

The first place Baltimore Orioles travel to New York Monday to begin a four game series against the Yankees.

Coming into Monday night, the Baltimore Orioles sit at 53-37 with a slim two game lead over the dangerous Boston Red Sox and three games ahead of the surging Toronto Blue Jays.

Against all odds, the team that nearly everyone thought would occupy the AL East basement in 2016 looks like a safe bet to make the postseason (FanGraphs has them at 67.6%). They are 4-2 against the Yankees this year. All six games have been at Camden Yards.

It’s fairly easy to see why the Orioles have been so successful in 2016. They have overpowered their opponents with pure brute strength, leading the major leagues in home runs with 140 to this point.

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Baltimore’s lineup is populated with a number of one dimensional sluggers who have been especially locked in during the first half. Five Orioles are threats to reach the 30 home run plateau this season, with another two within reach of 20.

The Baltimore Orioles are coming to town for a four game series against the floundering Yankees in the Bronx. With the Yankees hoping to keep their dwindling playoff chances afloat, every game from here on out is crucial, especially against AL East opponents.

The Orioles, Red Sox, and Blue Jays are not just division rivals for the Yankees, but they also look like the favorites for the two Wild Card spots. Can the Yankees make up any ground here? We’ll see.

Scheduled Matchups

Monday 7:05 pm EDT- Ivan Nova (5.18 ERA in 66 IP) vs. Kevin Gausman (4.15 ERA in 86.2 IP)

Tuesday 7:05 pm EDT- Nathan Eovaldi (5.54 ERA in 91 IP) vs. TBA

Wednesday 7:05 pm EDT- Michael Pineda (5.56 ERA in 100.1 IP) vs. Yovani Gallardo (5.77 ERA in 48.1 IP)

Thursday 1:05 pm EDT- CC Sabathia (3.94 ERA in 93.2 IP) vs. Chris Tillman (3.29 ERA in 120.1 IP)

Next: Yankees Need Reinforcements from the Farm in the Second Half

Baltimore’s “Go To” Starting Lineup (Courtesy of Roster Resource)

1. Adam Jones– CF (99wRC+) A .309 OBP from your leadoff spot is not ideal…
2. Hyun Soo Kim– LF (136 wRC+) Dealing with right hamstring injury, trying to avoid DL stint.
3. Manny Machado– 3B (142 wRC+) Definitely overlooked in “game’s best player” discussion
4. Mark Trumbo– RF (141 wRC+) The epitome of the one-dimensional slugger, but has been a complete beast thus far
5. Chris Davis– 1B (123 wRC+) Very solid start to the widely panned re-signing this offseason. Still six years to go though.
6. Matt Wieters– C (88 wRC+) Provides a little pop and solid defense.
7. Jonathan Schoop– 2B (121 wRC+) One of the most underrated players in the game despite an amazing inability to draw a walk.
8. Pedro Alvarez– DH (111 wRC+) As DH, gets to focus on what he does best: hitting dingers
9. JJ Hardy– SS (82 wRC+) Still can pick it at short when healthy