Yankees at Orioles
New York comes in trailing the Orioles by 2 1/2 games in the American League East after each won two of three in its respective weekend series. The Yankees had won five of six before falling to Seattle, 6-2, on Sunday, while Baltimore saw a run of seven straight wins against division rivals snapped in a 9-8 defeat against Tampa Bay. The Orioles own the best road record (11-5) in the major leagues, but they are 3-4 on their current nine-game homestand.
Both sides have been carried by powerful offenses — the Orioles lead the majors with 56 home runs, and the Yankees are just behind with 53. New York has had trouble getting quality pitching, ranking near the bottom of the American League in ERA, WHIP and quality starts, but Baltimore has had its share of struggles in that department as well — Jason Hammel has been listed as day-to-day with a sore knee, but he is still expected to take the mound.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, YES (New York), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Ivan Nova (4-1, ERA 5.02) vs. Orioles RH Jason Hammel (4-1, ERA 2.09)
Nova will be facing Baltimore for the third time this season, and first since the Orioles snapped his 15-game winning streak May 2. The right-hander fared much better in his April 9 outing at Camden Yards, striking out seven and allowing two runs in seven innings of a 6-2 win. Nova gave up 11 runs in 11 2/3 innings before settling down for a win May 8 against Tampa Bay.
Hammel has fared well in his first season with the Orioles, but it was the Yankees that handed him his only loss, a tough 2-1 setback on April 30. The former Rays draft pick has yet to allow more than two runs in a start this season, and he has struck out 38 batters against 11 walks in 38 2/3 innings. Hammel is 1-3 with a 6.69 ERA in 12 games (six starts) against New York.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Orioles are 12-5 against the American League East, winning their last seven against division foes.
2. Baltimore C Matt Wieters is 7-for-14 with three home runs and five RBIs against Nova, and RF Nick Markakis is 6-for-16 with a homer and four walks.
3. New York 3B Alex Rodriguez is 6-for-17 (.353) against Hammel, and four of the hits have been home runs. He has driven in nine off the right-hander.