The New York Yankees lead the division with a +32 run differential heading into Thursday, but it’s the Baltimore Orioles who currently sit at first in the division. The Orioles took two of three from New York earlier this month, though both of their wins were by just a single run with the Yankees taking the series finale by four. That’s been a rather good microcosm of this season to date for the two teams.
This series will be contested from Friday, April 28, 2017 through Sunday, April 30, 2017 at Yankee Stadium in New York. Saturday’s showdown will be broadcast nationally on MLB Network.
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Pitching Matchups
The Orioles offense hasn’t really gotten going quite yet, but their pitching has been leading the way for this team which comes as a bit of a surprise, particularly with Chris Tillman on the disabled list and Kevin Gausman struggling.
Gausman will get the start on Friday night. He’s still trying to get back on track. He’s managed just a single quality start in his first five games and allowed four runs to the Red Sox before getting a single out in his last start. After that, he did fight through 5.1 innings, keeping the Orioles at least somewhat in the game.
Overall, Gausman is 1-2 with a 7.50 ERA in his 24 innings of work. He’s struggled mightily with his command, allowing a league leading 15 walks and has a staggering 2.042 WHIP. It’s hard to win when you allow two base runners an inning, but the Orioles have still won three of his five starts.
The Yankees will counter Gausman with C.C. Sabathia who, despite looking done a few years ago, has seemingly reinvented himself as a dependable starter once again. He’s made four starts so far and is 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA. He’s forcing batters to put the ball in play now and has just 14 strikeouts in 23.1 innings so that’s a bit concerning, particularly when it comes along with a 3.5 walk per nine inning ratio.
As the weekend moves on, the Orioles will turn to the pitchers that came into the season with very little expectations: Ubaldo Jimenez and Wade Miley. Jimenez has been very good and very bad in games already while Miley has been very good so far with three straight quality starts.
Jimenez gets the ball on Saturday and did go 7.2 innings of two-hit ball a couple starts ago, but his last time out, he gave up three runs in just 3.1 innings. He’s failed to pitch five innings in three of his first four starts.
As for Miley, he’s had some command issues this year with 14 walks already, but he’s been able to avoid too much damage with a 2.08 ERA in his 26 innings spread over his four starts. He’s also struck out 32 batters and while he’s walked a good number of batters, he’s allowed just 12 hits helping him limit base runners to just one per inning.
The Yankees will counter Jimenez and Miley with Michael Pineda on Saturday and Jordan Montgomery lined up for Sunday’s start.
Pineda has had four starts and in typical Pineda fashion, two were very good and two were not. Interestingly, his two home starts were his best, giving up just three runs on eight hits and striking out 17 in 14.2 innings. He’s allowed seven runs in 8.2 innings on the road.
Montgomery comes into action with just three big league starts, all this year. He went 4.2 innings in his debut, allowing two runs. Since then, he notched back-to-back quality starts.
Who's Hot?
The Orioles’ offense has actually been a bit slow out of the gate. There are a few hitters swinging the bat pretty well. Jonathan Schoop has five homers and a .902 OPS, Adam Jones looks like Adam Jones and Seth Smith has been a real contributor, at least against right-handed pitching.
The biggest story on the offensive side of things for the O’s, however, has been Trey Mancini. He’s a first baseman by trade, but that skillset doesn’t really fit on the roster. He’s found time at DH and in the outfield to get his bat in the lineup. He’s tied with Schoop for the team lead in homers with five and has 11 RBIs in just 41 plate appearances.
Mancini’s playing time is a bit spotty, but he should be on the field on Friday with the southpaw on the mound.
The other hot player for the Orioles is reliever Brad Brach. He’s filled in well for Zach Britton who will be coming off the DL soon. In 12 innings, he’s yet to give up a run and has allowed three hits and four walks. He’s also struck out 14. Of course, as always, the whole Orioles’ bullpen has been very good.
The Yankees’ pen has delivered, too. Aroldis Chapman, of course, never provides a comfortable at bat and Dellin Betances, Bryan Mitchell, Adam Warren and Tyler Clippard provide depth. The Yankees pen has been the best in baseball so far with a cumulative 1.51 ERA in 53.2 innings.
At the plate, New York has several more high performing players, too. Aaron Judge already has seven home runs and has a 1.024 OPS. Chase Headley is continuing to rake.
Who's Not?
Greg Bird is getting better. His average is at least in the 100s now at .118. He’s starting to see the ball a bit better, but he’s still the weak spot in this surprisingly powerful Yankee lineup. Brett Gardner is also under performing. The veteran outfielder has stolen six bases, but he’s hitting .186. Walks have saved his OBP, but he’s just not making good contact.
For the Orioles, Manny Machado has yet to get going. He’s hit three home runs, but he’s hitting just .205 and has just six extra base hits in 20 games played. Of course, that’s much better than Mark Trumbo. The reigning AL home run leader is batting .190 with a single home run, coming on Opening Day, and six runs batted in.
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