Yankees at Orioles
It’s still incredibly early, but it’s strange to see the Orioles on top of the American League East at 3-0, three games ahead of the Yankees and Red Sox, who are both 0-3 for the first time since 1966. The Yankees, just swept by the Tampa Bay Rays, have a chance to slice into that deficit with a three-game set starting Monday in Baltimore.
The Orioles, who gave up only five total runs in a three-game sweep of the Twins — are looking to start 4-0 for the second straight season. New York is 0-3 for the first time since 1998 (when it won 114 games and the World Series) and will try to avoid just the third 0-4 start in franchise history and first since 1973.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, YES (New York), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Ivan Nova (2011: 16-4, 3.70 ERA) vs. Orioles LH Brian Matusz (2011: 1-9, 10.69 ERA)
Nova, a 25-year-old from the Dominican Republic, was a bright spot in New York’s rotation in his first full big-league season. He struck out just 98 in 165 1/3 innings, but surrendered only 57 walks. Nova is 2-0 with a 3.55 ERA in four career starts against Baltimore.
Matusz was expected to have a breakthrough 2011 season, but it was the exact opposite. The 25-year-old’s 10.69 ERA was the highest for any pitcher with at least 10 starts last season. He was shelled for 11 runs over 6 2/3 innings in two starts against New York.
WALK-OFFS:
1. The Yankees have posted a 13-5 record against Baltimore in each of the past three seasons.
2. Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira are hitting a combined .415 (22 for 53) with 10 extra-base hits — including three homers — against Matusz.
3. The Orioles have given up zero runs during the first seven innings of each of their wins.