After beginning the 2022 season with a seven-game homestand, the New York Yankees (4-3) hit the road for the first time as they head south to face the Baltimore Orioles (1-5).
This will be the second home series for Baltimore but the first against an American League opponent. The series starts Friday at 7:05 p.m. ET at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, airing locally on MASN and YES.
Last year the Yankees won the season series 11-8 with a 6-4 mark at Camden Yards. They are scheduled to play 19 times this season, with 10 of the games in Baltimore. The Yankees are 35-13 against the Orioles the last three seasons, and Baltimore hasn’t won a season series between the AL East rivals since 2016.
Homer or Nothing for Yankees
New York split their four-game series with Toronto after a 3-0 win on Thursday. They used six relief pitchers to get the shutout, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa led the offense with three hits and a double. Jose Trevino had a pair of RBI, and Giancarlo Stanton drove in the other run.
The Yankees already have nine home runs on the season, with three from Anthony Rizzo and two by Stanton. New acquisition Josh Donaldson is off to a slow start at .185, but Aaron Hicks leads the team at .353. They have outscored opponents 24-20 and have two shutouts as a pitching staff already.
Lefty Jordan Montgomery gets the ball on Friday for his second start of the season. On Sunday, he took a no-decision against Boston, allowing three runs on four hits over 3 ⅓ innings while walking one and striking out four. He left the game after being hit in the left leg by a Xander Bogaerts line drive but threw a bullpen session Wednesday to prepare for Friday’s start.
Last year Montgomery faced the Orioles five times, going 1-0 with four no-decisions. In 24 ⅓ innings, he allowed 28 hits and nine earned runs while striking out 29 and walking six. Ryan Mountcastle and Trey Mancini both took him deep, with the latter going 5-for-8 last season against Montgomery.
Orioles Offense Off to Slow Start
The Orioles are 1-5 on the season, going 1-2 at home against Milwaukee after being swept in Tampa Bay. They haven’t scored more than four runs in a game yet this season and have allowed five or more in the three of the six games. The Orioles have been outscored 24-12 and are batting .201 as a team with a 3.71 ERA.
Right-hander Jordan Lyles takes the mound on Friday for his second start of the season. Lyles lost at Tampa Bay on April 9, allowing five runs on seven hits over five innings while walking three and striking out two.
Last year while pitching with Texas, he beat the Yankees with one run allowed over six innings as he struck out six. For his career, Stanton is 4-for-9 against Lyles with a home run, while Rizzo is 4-for-17 with six RBI, Donaldson is 3-for-4, and D.J. LeMahieu is 4-for-13.
Baltimore’s offense has three homers in six games, one each for Anthony Santander, Mountcastle, and Cedric Mullins. Santander is batting .400 while Mountcastle leads the team with three RBI and seven hits. Mancini has three doubles in six games, while Santander leads the team with six walks.
Betting Analysis
- New York Yankees -1.5 (-130) Money line -210
- Baltimore Orioles +1.5 (+110) Money Line +175
- Total Runs: 9.5 Over -110, Under -110
The Yankees have dominated Baltimore in recent history and have a much better start to the 2022 season. Baltimore struggles to score, and the Yankees’ relief corps has done a good job overall in the first week. The Yankees should take this series and set the tone with the opener.
Betting Pick: Yankees -1.5 (-130)
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