After finally snapping their six-game losing skid in the series finale in Toronto, the Orioles will now look ahead to their next challenge that comes in the form of a four-game set in the Bronx.

As a result of their recent losing streak, the Orioles (72-74) now trail the Minnesota Twins by 4.5 games for the final wild card spot in the American League with just sixteen games remaining on the schedule.

A current 1-5 record over the first two legs of the road trip hasn’t done them any favors, nor has a 4-8 mark through the first twelve games of September. While these Orioles are still scrapping away, the season is getting close to hitting its desperation point. That may not necessarily be a bad thing- a desperate team is a dangerous team.

The Yankees (79-66) on the other hand, have all but assured their spot in the playoffs by starting out the month of September on an 8-4 run. They now own a three-game lead over the Twins for the ”home” wild card spot, and the closest challenger on the outside looking in is a growingly distant 5.5-games in the rearview mirror.

The Orioles will hit the Bronx for the last time this season with their hosts owning the upper hand in the season set, and have gone just 6-9 against the Bombers on the year.

Will the dangerous Yankees land another blow to the hopes of their long-time rivals, or will the Orioles add a few notches in the win column to stay alive in the playoff run?

Only time will tell. Let’s go to the starters.

Game One

Wade Miley (8-12, 4.96 ERA) will take the mound against Masahiro Tanaka (11-11, 4.82 ERA) in tonight’s series opener.

Miley wasn’t up to par during his last contest versus Cleveland and exited the game after allowing four runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings, but the southpaw has been very solid down the stretch this season. Over his last eight starts, Miley has gone 4-3 with a stout 3.25 ERA. However, Miley has gone winless over nine career starts versus New York and owns an 0-3 record and a 4.83 ERA against them lifetime.

Tanaka was tagged for seven runs on eight hits over just four innings during his last start against the Rangers, which came as a surprise due to Tanaka’s recent excellence. During his previous start, he had held Boston to just a single run on five hits over seven innings en route to his eleventh win of the season. Tanaka has also tossed six-plus innings of one-run baseball in four of his last seven starts.

Game Two

Gabriel Ynoa (1-1, 4.19 ERA) will take on All-Star Luis Severino (12-6, 2.96 ERA) in Friday’s match-up.

Ynoa will make his second start for the Orioles after allowing three runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings versus Cleveland in his first start as an Oriole. He’s posted a decent 4.19 ERA for the Orioles over six appearances this season and has posted fifteen strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings.

Severino turned in a gem during his last start against the Rangers and allowed just a single run on one hit over seven innings while striking out ten, but received the no-decision in the Yankees eventual 3-1 win. Severino has been an animal for the Bronx Bombers during the second half of the season, and has notched an amazing 7-2 record over eleven starts during that span to go along with a sensational 2.07 ERA.

Game Three

Jeremy Hellickson (8-9, 5.23 ERA) will get the nod against Jordan Montgomery (7-7, 4.24 ERA) on Saturday.

Hellickson turned in a much-improved outing during his last start in Cleveland, but ended up in the loss column despite having allowed just three runs on four hits over six solid innings. Over eight starts since joining the Orioles, Hellickson has gone just 2-4 while notching a 6.54 ERA.

Montgomery was pulled early after allowing three runs on three hits over just 3 1/3 innings during his last start versus the Rangers, and the Yankees standout rookie southpaw seems to have hit the ”rookie wall” in the second half of the season. Over ten starts since the conclusion of the All-Star Break, Montgomery has gone just 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA.

Game Four

The Orioles still haven’t announced who will take on CC Sabathia (11-5, 3.85 ERA) in the series finale on Sunday, but stay tuned.

More than likely, Chris Tillman (1-7, 7.82 ERA) or Ubaldo Jimenez (5-10, 6.75 ERA) will take the mound on Sunday. My verdict: Umm………Flip a coin, maybe? Mike Wright also remains a dark horse option.

Sabathia allowed just one run despite giving up six hits over 4 1/3 innings during his last outing against Tampa, and has been pretty solid overall for the Yanks down the stretch. Over ten starts during the second half of the campaign, Sabathia has notched a 4-2 record and a 3.91 ERA. The former Cy Young Award winner will also be looking for career win #20 versus the Birds, as he’s gone 19-10 over a whopping forty-one outings against the Orioles.