Baltimore @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 21, 2018 ) Baltimore 8, NY Yankees 10

The New York Yankees struggled against the last-place Baltimore Orioles for much of the season, but they have exerted their dominance in the series over the past two-plus months. New York looks to make it six consecutive wins over the major league-worst Orioles when the teams resume their three-game series Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

Didi Gregorius and Aaron Hicks each swatted two-run homers in Friday's 10-8 win for the Yankees, who maintain a 1 1/2 game lead over Oakland for the first wild-card. Hicks became the fifth New York player to reach 25 home runs this season, matching the franchise record set by the 2009 World Series-winning squad. “That’s a good nice round number to get to," Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters after the game. "Obviously, a group of guys that can hurt you with the long ball.” Renato Nunez and DJ Stewart each belted two-run homers in a belated comeback attempt by Baltimore, which tumbled to its 109th defeat - second only to the franchise-record 111 set by the St. Louis Browns in 1939.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN (Baltimore), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH David Hess (3-10, 5.22 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Lance Lynn (9-10, 4.90)

After ending a 10-start winless drought by beating Toronto with six scoreless innings of four-hit ball on Aug. 27, Hess has turned in three straight shaky outings. He allowed four runs (three earned) over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday and has yielded 15 runs (nine earned) and 22 hits over 13 1/3 innings in his last three turns. Right-handed batters are hitting .287 against Hess.

Lynn made his New York debut in a relief appearance against the Orioles on Aug. 1, striking out five and blanking Baltimore on five hits over 4 1/3 innings. He is still seeking his first win at Yankee Stadium this year, posting an 0-2 mark and 6.32 ERA in seven appearances (six starts). Trey Mancini is 3-for-7 with a homer off Lynn, who is 2-1 with a 4.37 ERA in five outings (three starts) against the Orioles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Orioles 1B Chris Davis is 1-for-32 with 17 strikeouts in his last nine games after fanning four times Friday.

2. Yankees RH Dellin Betances has notched a strikeout in 43 consecutive relief appearances.

3. Baltimore RH Alex Cobb will get the start in the series finale.

PREDICTION: Yankees 8, Orioles 3