The New York Yankees will get right back at it as they look to take the series from the American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles.
- Baltimore Orioles (53-39)
- New York Yankees (47-46)
- American League, 7:05, YES Network
- Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
As the quest to save their season continues, the New York Yankees are looking to make it four straight as they play host to the first-place Orioles at Yankee Stadium.
After losing the first two games of this 10-game homestand against the Boston Red Sox they had slipped to nine games out of the division and five and a half out of the second Wild Card spot.
Now, following two wins against the American League East-leading Orioles, they have narrowed the deficit in the standings and now sit only 6.5 games out of the AL East and five out of the second Wild Card spot. The teams that separate the Yankees and a playoff spot have also declined from six to three.
Can they continue stellar play tonight? Before we sit down tonight and find out, check out everything you need to know leading up to first pitch:
We’re kicking off a 4-game series against the Orioles tonight! Check out the preview here: https://t.co/OD7YweKVNd pic.twitter.com/06hYTAh3MG
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 18, 2016
Pitching Matchups:
New York will send Michael Pineda to the hill who’s looking to rebound after a poor start on July 15 against Boston.
Big Mike has authorized five earned runs in each of his last two starts and is far from the June version of himself that maintained a 2.75 across six starts.
In his career against Baltimore, he owns a 3-2 record with a 4.10 earned run average but Pineda’s career day came against the Birds when he struck out 16 on last year’s Mother’s day.
The O’s will counter with Yovani Gallardo who has been unable to get deep into games throughout his first season with the team.
Overall, the 30-year old righty owns a 5.77 ERA through 10 starts and is giving up a career-high 10.8 hits per nine innings. In his three career starts against the Yankees, he has surrendered 11 runs in 17.2 innings including three home runs.
Lineups:
7/20 @Yankees lineup vs BAL
Gardner LF
Ellsbury CF
Beltran DH
McCann C
Teixeira 1B
Gregorius SS
Castro 2B
Headley 3B
Hicks RF
Pineda P— MLB Lineups (@mlblineups) July 20, 2016
Number To Know:
25.2
Thanks to stellar outings by Anthony Swarzak and Nick Goody last night, Yankees’ relievers were able to extend their scoreless streak to 25.2 innings. Their performance also allowed “No-Runs DMC” to be available in tonight’s contest.
Players To Watch:
Sorry Rob Refsnyder, but the Yankees’ starting first baseman is back and in the lineup tonight.
Teixeira has been battling a bruised left foot and while the CT-scan came back clean, he has been missing action this week because of soreness.
Prior to his injury, Teixeira was batting .175 with two home runs in the previous 10 games.
New York’s second baseman has been on fire to kick off the second half of 2016. Since the homestand started (five games), Castro owns a .353/.353/.706 slash line with an OPS of 1.059 and a home run.
RECAP: Castro, Headley power #Yankees to 7-1 win over O’s. https://t.co/r84CY6ItHu#LetsGoYankeeshttps://t.co/C18u2ExVVj
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 20, 2016
Bold Prediction:
Pineda will strikeout ten batters as Castro delivers his twelve home run of the season. Additionally, “No-Runs DMC” will dominate for the third time in four straight wins to pull the Yankees within 5.5 games of the AL East.
