Series Preview: Series 13 vs. Orioles
Photo Via: G. Fiume — Getty ImagesHaving won four series in a row, you would expect the Yankees to come into this one with high expectations. However, injuries and a COVID outbreak have spoiled the stretch of good play by the Bombers. The Yankees are 4-3 this year versus the O’s, and now face a three-game matchup at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Game 1
Friday, May 14 — 7:05 pm — WPIX, MLB Network
Probable Pitchers: Corey Kluber - RHP (NYY) vs. Dean Kremer - RHP (BAL)
Game Notes: Corey Kluber turned in another solid start against the Nationals last time out, which was his only start after throwing 8 shutout innings against the Tigers. Kluber’s season ERA is now down to 3.06 and he can really grab some attention if he can get it to sub-3 tonight.
Dean Kremer is 0-3 with a 6.23 ERA in 2021. The Yankees saw him twice last year, and he pitched great both times. But this year, the Yankees knocked him around in his only outing against them.
Giancarlo Stanton was a late scratch from the lineup, so the Yankees are extremely shorthanded.
Game 2
Saturday, May 15 — 7:05 pm — YES Network
Probable Pitchers: Domingo Germán - RHP (NYY) vs. Jorge López - RHP (BAL)
Game Notes: Domingo Germán tossed 7 scoreless frames against the Orioles last time they faced off. He now owns a 4.02 ERA on the season, which has been lowered greatly after his demotion to the Alternate Site in April.
Jorge López has surrendered 6 earned runs in 8.2 innings against the Yankees this season. He did not complete the 5th inning in either start and struggled after his first time around the lineup each game.
Game 3
Sunday, May 16 — 1:05 pm — YES Network
Probable Pitchers: Jordan Montgomery - LHP (NYY) vs. John Means - LHP (BAL)
Game Notes: Monty has thrown 11 innings against the Orioles in 2021, but has only allowed 2 earned runs. The most earned runs he has allowed in any outing this year is 4, but he has not allowed more than 3 since April 23.
John Means has been on a well-documented tear this season. He has a 1.21 ERA and 53 strikeouts to go with a 4-0 record. He followed up a no-hitter on May 5th by throwing 6 shutout innings against the Mets on May 11th. He only went 4.2 innings last time against the Yankees (April 7), but only allowed 1 run.
Sluggers to Watch
D.J. LeMahieu needs to get it going. He is the table-setter for the Yankees and needs to be out there spraying the field with hits. His batting average is roughly 100 points lower than it was last season. Camden Yards is an excellent place for D.J. to rack up a few knocks, and maybe also knock a couple out of the park. The pitching matchups are favorable, as LeMahieu has seen each pitcher already in 2021.
Trey Mancini had some big hits in the last series between the Yankees and Orioles (6 for 14, HR, 2B). Over his last 15 games, Mancini is 19 for 61 (.311 AVG) with 3 homers and 3 doubles. Besides being the easiest player in baseball to root for, Mancini can really hit.
Injury Report
3B/SS Gio Urshela will get the first day off, since he has a lingering knee issue dating back to the Astros series. Manager Aaron Boone says Urshela’s knee improved greatly prior to today and it should not be a long-term problem.
DH Giancarlo Stanton was scratched from the game one lineup with left quad tightness. This sounds like an IL trip is forthcoming, so we will monitor how the Yankees play this one.
CF Aaron Hicks has a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist. He will definitely miss part of this series, very likely the entire series, and possibly a very long time. If Hicks needs surgery, his season will probably be over.
SS Gleyber Torres tested positive for COVID-19 during the series in St. Petersburg. Boone mentioned Torres could be back very soon, but as of right now he is out until further notice.
INF Rougned Odor (sprained knee) will not be activated tomorrow when he is first eligible, per Boone. However, the prognosis on Odor is that he is doing well and is on track to return soon.
RHP Clarke Schmidt (elbow strain), LHP Zack Britton (arthroscopic elbow surgery), RHP Darren O’Day (strained rotator cuff), and RHP Luis Severino (Tommy John surgery) are all out for the series. Severino threw live at-bats this week and will hopefully progress to a rehab assignment next month.
Orioles OF Anthony Santander (sprained ankle) is set to begin a rehab assignment today (Friday), so it is highly unlikely he comes back for this series. But he is close.
1B/DH Chris Davis (strained lower back) is on the 60-day injured list and will not play this weekend.
Pitchers Hunter Harvey (strained oblique), Mac Sceroler (shoulder tendinitis), and Dillon Tate (strained hamstring) are all on the injured list and will not return for this series.