After dropping a crucial series versus Toronto, the Orioles will look to kick off the month of September on a high note against the New York Yankees over the next three games at Camden Yards.
And with 29 games separating the Orioles from either playing baseball or golf in October, there is almost no room for error as the regular season draws to a close.
The Orioles (72-61) currently find themselves four games off the pace of the first-place Blue Jays and two games behind Boston for second place. After posting their second straight sub-.500 month with a 13-16 record in August, the O’s have also let the Detroit Tigers draw level with them in the race for the final wild card spot in the AL.
One thing is for sure: the race for the AL East and the wild card will come right down to the wire, and even though the Orioles posted a lackluster 6-10 mark in the second half of August, they are still alive and kicking in both playoff scenarios.
All it takes is one hot streak to punch your ticket for October baseball, and the Orioles are certainly capable of doing just that. You can never rule this squad as down and out…because they never say die.
However, with the final month of the season consisting of mainly division rivals, the Orioles will undoubtedly have to do better than the 6-12 record that they’ve posted against the stacked AL East during the second half of the season to date.
And despite boasting a 7-6 advantage over the Bronx Bombers this season, the Orioles will be looking to snap out of their current slump against their NYC rivals. The Yankees have gone 6-3 against the Orioles over the last nine encounters between the long-loathed rivals.
Despite unloading at the deadline back in July, the fourth place Yankees (69-63) have come to life since the beginning of August. The Bronx Bombers are 6.5 games behind Toronto at the top of the table, but stand just 2.5 games behind the Orioles for the second wild card slot in the American League.
Somehow, they’ve managed to post an impressive 25-19 clip during the second half of the season so far and don’t seem to be throwing in the towel any time soon…the Yankees never seem to die, either.
Grab a seat, folks; my gut tells me that there will be no shortage of fireworks over the next three nights at the Yard. But again, there’s never a dull moment in September.
Dylan Bundy (7-5, 3.71 ERA) is set to take on Chad Green (2-3, 4.09 ERA) in the series opener on Friday.
After getting tagged during his first career start versus New York last Tuesday, Bundy will carry a 0-1 record and a bloated 9.39 ERA over three games (one start) versus the Yanks into Friday’s contest.
The Orioles 23-year-old phenom has also been going through a rough patch as of late, going 1-2 with a 7.53 ERA over his last three outings.
Despite allowing four runs over 4 2/3 innings in his first career start versus Baltimore on August 27th, Chad Green escaped the contest with a no-decision in the eventual 13-5 Yankees victory. The 25-year-old rookie owns a 5.14 ERA over two games (one start) against the Orioles this season.
Kevin Gausman (6-10, 3.73 ERA) will take the mound against six-time All-Star CC Sabathia (8-11, 4.31 ERA) on Saturday.
Simply put, Gausman has been sensational versus New York this season, going 1-1 with a microscopic 0.98 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over four starts against them during the current campaign.
The Orioles 25-year-old flamethrower has also registered a 4-3 record and a stellar 2.04 ERA over 15 games (nine starts) versus the Yankees during his young career, and has firmly established himself as the go-to guy any time the Birds take on the pinstripes.
Sabathia, on the other hand, has been a thorn in the Orioles side for almost a decade. Over 37 career starts versus Baltimore, the 36-year-old southpaw owns a spectacular 19-9 record and an impressive 3.35 ERA.
Wade Miley (8-11, 5.43 ERA) is set to face Michael Pineda (6-11, 5.12 ERA) in the series finale on Sunday.
Miley has recorded two straight solid outings for the Orioles, but still owns a 1-3 record and a 7.14 ERA over six starts since joining the Orioles at the deadline.
Over five career outings against the Yankees, the O’s southpaw has registered a 0-2 record and a 5.52 ERA.
Meanwhile, Pineda has recorded a very solid track record against the Orioles by going 4-2 with a respectable 3.68 ERA over ten career starts.
Led by instant phenom Gary Sanchez (.371, 11 HR, 21 RBI) , the Yankees offense has suddenly come to life with the help of three-time All-Star second baseman Starlin Castro (.269, 19 HR, 64 RBI), Dutch shortstop Didi Gregorius (.286, 17 HR, 61 RBI) and veterans Jacoby Ellsbury (.267, 6 HR, 46 RBI), Brett Gardner (.260, 7 HR, 34 RBI), Brian McCann (.236, 16 HR, 51 RBI) and Chase Headley (.257, 12 HR, 44 RBI).
This is a team that is clicking at the exact right time, so the Orioles must proceed with caution. If they don’t, the disappointing trip to the Bronx last week may repeat itself at Camden Yards.
And everyone knows that they cannot afford another slip-up like that. A series loss against the Yankees to begin the month could have long-lasting effects come the end of it.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell you that the Orioles need to gain ground…not lose it. It’s just a matter of putting your money where your mouth is and getting the job done by any means necessary.
Put your hardhats on, Orioles. It’s time to go to work!
