Baltimore @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 7, 2013 ) Baltimore 2, NY Yankees 1
The Baltimore Orioles and host New York Yankees are running out of time to make a charge in the American League playoff race as they begin a three-game series on Friday. The Orioles avoided a three-game sweep with a 3-2 win at Boston on Thursday but still trail the first-place Red Sox by 6 1/2 games in the AL East and are 2 1/2 behind Oakland for the second wild card. The Yankees face an even bigger climb, trailing the Red Sox by eight games and sitting five behind the Athletics.
The Orioles are in the midst of a crucial nine-game road trip that wraps up next week with three contests in Cleveland, and manager Buck Showalter isn't ready to count out his team yet, saying they "have a lot of (expletive) and vinegar in their blood." Baltimore remains on track to break the major-league record held by Seattle (65 in 2003) for the fewest errors in a season, as it has committed only 39 through 132 games. The Yankees have to make a move now, as they begin a 10-game homestand against Baltimore, the Chicago White Sox and Boston.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN (Baltimore), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Miguel Gonzalez (8-6, 3.77 ERA) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia (11-11, 4.81)
Gonzalez returns to the rotation after making two appearances out of the bullpen, and he's looking for his first win since July 20. The 29-year-old threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief while biding his time until his next start, as the Orioles had enough days off to give him some extra rest. Gonzalez is 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA in five career outings against the Yankees, including an 0-1 mark and 2.37 ERA in three meetings this year.
Sabathia recorded a quality start Saturday - just his third in his last eight outings - but was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs in 6 1/3 innings at Tampa Bay. The 33-year-old has not been himself this season, especially since the All-Star break, and is in danger of having a losing record for the first time in his 13-year career. He has fared well against the Orioles, however, going 17-5 with a 3.19 ERA in 28 career starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yankees SS Derek Jeter has 3,311 career hits, needing two to tie Eddie Collins for ninth place on the all-time list.
2. Orioles 1B Chris Davis needs two doubles to become the 12th player in major-league history with 40 doubles and 40 homers in the same season.
3. Baltimore 3B Manny Machado leads the majors with 45 doubles and ranks third in the AL with 49 multi-hit performances.
PREDICTION: Orioles 4, Yankees 3