Baltimore Orioles series preview vs the New York Yankees

After series losses to the Twins and Reds to end June and start July, the semi-skidding Orioles hit the road for seven straight games prior to the All Star Break in Seattle. Up first on the road trip is a four game trip to the Bronx for an AL East matchup with the New York Yankees.

Orioles start pre-All Star Break road trip with four game series against New York Yankees

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT

The Yankees enter this series four games back of the Orioles for second place in the AL East, with the teams only three wins apart. They have a better run differential than the Orioles, with the Yankees sitting at +32 and the Orioles at +20.

The Yankees are 5-5 in their last 10 games as opposed to Baltimore being 4-6 in their last 10. Both teams are coming off series losses, with the Yankees losing two of three to the last place St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend

SEASON SERIES

Both teams have met twice this season already. In April, the Yankees took two of three from the Orioles at Camden Yards, the first home series of the year for Baltimore. At Yankee stadium in May, the Orioles won two of three, moving the season series to a 3-3 deadlock through six games.

PITCHING PROBABLES

Monday, 7/3: Tyler Wells vs Domingo German

Wells and German square off in the series opener. Wells is coming off another efficient start, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out seven. Unfortunately, the Orioles lost 3-1, so Wells was the tough luck loser against the Cincinnati Reds.

On the season, Wells has six wins to four losses, with a 3.21 ERA, 4.58 FIP, and the always good 0.885 WHIP in 15 starts and 16 games, totaling 92 2/3 innings in his second season in the Orioles starting rotation.

In his last start, German became the 24th pitcher in baseball to throw a perfect game when he shut down the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night. On the season, German has a 4.54 ERA, 4.87 FIP, and 1.045 WHIP over 81 1/3 innings and 15 starts.

Tuesday, 7/4: Kyle Gibson vs Clarke Schmidt

The second game on Independence day in the U.S. pits Gibson and Schmidt against each other. Gibson has had a few poor starts in a row, with his last start being a six run, nine hit, one walk loss over 4 2/3 innings against the Reds.

Over 17 starts this season, the Indiana native has a 4.66 ERA, 3.88 FIP, and 1.376 WHIP while throwing 96 2/3 innings, right in line to reach 100 on the season in this start. He needs three wins to reach 100 on his career, having already picked up eight this season.

Schmidt is in his first full season in the Yankees rotation after injuries to Frankie Montas and Carlos Rodon. The Georgia native sports a 4.37 ERA, 4.19 FIP, and 1.421 WHIP that would make Tyler Wells puke in 82 1/3 innings and 17 starts.

Wednesday, 7/5: Dean Kremer vs TBD

Game three pits Kremer against an unknown starter for the Yankees. Kremer appeared to go back to his early season form in his last start, allowing seven runs on seven hits and two walks in just three innings against the Twins on Friday night.

So far this season, Kremer has an inflated 5.04 ERA and 5.12 FIP to go with a 1.418 WHIP in 91 innings over 17 starts. Hopefully a Yankees lineup that doesn't have Aaron Judge in it can help get him back on track and put his ERA back under 5.00 before the All Star Break.

There is no announced starter for the Yankees. They could go with Jhony Brito, who started the day before German's perfect game, or they could go with a callup from Triple A, which FanGraphs predicts is Randy Vásquez.

In 12 games and 11 starts this season, Brito has a 4.70 ERA, 5.28 FIP, and 1.335 WHIP over 51 2/3 innings. Due to Montas, Rodon, Luis Severino, and Nestor Cortes Jr all missing time this season, Brito was actually on the Yankees opening day roster.

Vásquez has pitched in just two major league games this season, making his big league debut in the rotation. In those two games, he has allowed two runs on six hits and four walks, striking out nine in 10 1/3 innings, giving him a 1.74 ERA and 0.983 WHIP but a 4.83 FIP in his big league career.

Thursday, 7/6: Kyle Bradish vs Luis Severino

The series finale pits Bradish and Severino against each other. Bradish put together a brilliant start his last time out, allowing one run on seven hits while striking out seven in six innings. That was unfortunately the only run to score as the Orioles lost 1-0 to the Twins on Saturday afternoon.

On the season, the second year big leaguer has authored a 3.58 ERA, 3.68 FIP, and 1.205 WHIP over 15 starts, missing time briefly in April. At 78 innings, Bradish has been a solid contributor to the Orioles rotation, and has plenty of gas left in the tank in the second half.

Severino has been rocked on the mound more than once this season, allowing nine runs in four innings to the Cardinals in his most recent start. This season, Severino has a 6.30 ERA, 6.33 ERA, and 1.650 WHIP in 40 innings and eight starts.

This series against an AL East foe is a great way for the Orioles to begin to wrap up the first half on a good note. With a lineup that's missing Aaron Judge and some pitchers who have gotten rocked, the ingredients are there. Let's play ball!