The New York Yankees (4-3, 0-0 away) open up a three-game weekend series against a divisional opponent, the Baltimore Orioles (1-5, 1-2 home). New York is on the road for the first time after beginning the year with a seven-game homestand. The Orioles hope to even their record at home with a victory.
The first pitch of Friday night’s contest is at 7:05 p.m. EST at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD. New York is the favorite (-210), and the over-under total is 9.5 runs.
What to Know – New York Yankees
New York heads into the weekend after a four-game split with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees are a projected playoff contender and one of the top teams in the AL East. Projections have the Yankees finishing second behind the Blue Jays in the standings.
Left-hander Jordan Montgomery (0-0, 8.10 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) looks to rebound Friday night after a tough season debut. Montgomery was roughed up against the Red Sox over 3.1 innings of work. The 29-year-old allowed four hits, three earned runs, one walk, and four strikeouts in a no-decision.
AS expected, the Yankees offense is off to a hot start at the plate through the first week of the season. New York has plated 24 runs through the first seven games with a .235 team batting average.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo already has tallied three home runs and driven in seven. Outfielder Aaron Judge and second baseman DJ LeMahieu sport the teams’ best batting average at .286. Judge has eight hits, including one home run and three doubles.
What to Know – Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles’ 2022 start isn’t ideal, but Baltimore fans have become accustomed to the lack of success in a talent-packed AL East. As the Orioles continue to rebuild their franchise, the squad is again projected to finish in last place in a division that might have four playoff teams.
Baltimore turns the ball over to Jordan Lyles, who’ll make his second start in 2022. The right-hander coughed up five earned runs over five innings on seven hits. Lyles walked three and struck out two in an opening loss to Tampa Bay.
Offensively, the Orioles have scored just 12 runs over the first six games and has a team batting average of .201. Baltimore’s lack of offensive production have them last in the league in runs scored.
Outfielder Anthony Santander is doing all he can at the dish, sporting a .400 average (6-for-15) with a solo home run and ten total bases. Cedric Mullins has driven in half of the Orioles’ runs scored with six RBI on five hits.
The Pick is In
Friday marks the first of nineteen matchups between these two divisional foes. New York finished 11-8 against the Orioles last season, with a 6-4 record at Camden Yards.
Baltimore doesn’t have the firepower to keep up with the Yankees’ offense, and Lyle’s performance in his season-opener is a concern. New York takes this one 6-3.
Betting Pick: New York Yankees -1.5
