3 Storylines that will decide the series between the Orioles and Yankees

May 19, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN;   Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (6) hits a home run against the Toronto Blue Jays
May 19, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (6) hits a home run against the Toronto Blue Jays | Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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After a weekend sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays in Canada, the Orioles return to the states and head to New York City for a three game series against another division rival in the New York Yankees. With both teams entering the series playing good baseball, three storylines will be key to follow in the series.

Three storylines to keep a close eye on in the Baltimore Orioles series against the New York Yankees

Oct 22, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) is checked for substances after completing an inning
Oct 22, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) is checked for substances after completing an inning | Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Sticky Stuff saga

Recently, the Yankees have come under fire after two foreign substance checks, better known as sticky stuff. After being ejected from Tuesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays thanks to having foreign substances, Domingo Germán is serving a 10 game suspension because of his use of the sticky stuff.

On Friday in Cincinnati, another starter, Clarke Schmidt, was also found to have sticky stuff on his hands. Instead of being ejected and suspended like German, the umpires instead merely forced Schmidt to wash his hands and allowed him to continue pitching, much to David Bell's displeasure.

With the recent events, it's fair to say that this will be a focus of the series, with umpires looking to catch anyone in use of the substance during the game.

Schedule