The Series Ahead: Yankees @ Orioles

Yankees - Orioles

Camden Yards
(3 Games)

The Yankees were riding high heading into a three game set against the division rival Blue Jays. However, that momentum was quickly stopped by Blue Jay dominant pitching performances. Luckily the weekend was salvaged with a superb performance by the much maligned Javier Vazquez and one inning of offense. The Yankees should have an opportunity to get back on track as they face the Baltimore Orioles followed by the Houston Astros before their schedule becomes difficult. This stretch would be a disappointment if the Yankees do not go at least 5-1.

There is really no nice way to put it - the Baltimore Orioles are flat out terrible. They have the worst record in baseball at 16-41. They are a pathetic 1-9 in their last 10 games. They have scored the least amount of runs in all of Major League baseball with 186. There are only 4 teams that have allowed more runs. This team is just straight up bad right now and it has been that way the past few years. They are a far cry from the team that was one of the best in the American League for the better half of three decades (70's through the 90's). Brian Roberts has been injury prone, Adam Jones has regressed, and when they get quality starts they don't score runs. On the day after the MLB draft it's important to note that Matt Wieters who was dubbed "The Next Joe Mauer" has been anything but that. The Yankees need to make moves on the weak teams. A sweep should be expected and if they do not take 2 out of 3 it will be a disaster.

When you think about everything that has gone on with this team it is incredible where they are in the standings. This team has played stretches of games with 4/5 of their starting lineup out due to injury. Neither Mark Teixeira nor Alex Rodriguez have gone on a hot streak like you know they are capable of. CC Sabathia has been inconsistent and Javier Vazquez was downright awful in his first 5 or 6 starts. This team has been carried by Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher and Phil Hughes. After this six game stretch of "easy" games we will see what the 2010 Yankees are made of as they will face the Phillies, Mets, and then head to the west coast for inter-league play.

So the Yankees head into this series playing good baseball. They sit at 35-22 and just 2 games back in the AL East. Now is the time for them to make a move. The Yankees took their lumps earlier in the season and now with the roster as healthy as you could hope it's time to make a move. Sit back and hopefully enjoy some Yankee blowouts.

Matchups

Game 1: Tonight @ 7:05 p.m. | TV: MY9 | Radio: WCBS
RHP Phil Hughes (7-1, 2.54) vs. RHP Kevin Millwood (0-6, 4.29)

Game 2: Wednesday @ 7:05 p.m. | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS
LHP CC Sabathia (5-3, 4.14) vs. RHP Chris Tillman (0-1, 7.71)

Game 3: Thursday @ 1:05 p.m. | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS
RHP A.J. Burnett (6-3, 3.72) vs. RHP Jeremy Guthrie (3-6, 3.71)

Three Questions

• When will Mark Teixeira get hot?
  
• Can someone tell Brett Gardner to utilize his speed more often (bunt for a base hit)?
  
• On the night of Stephen Strasburg's debut who do you think will have a better career, Phil Hughes or Stephen Strasburg?
  

Injury Report

YANKEES:
- DH/1B Nick Johnson is on the 60-day DL with an inflamed tendon in the wrist. Had surgery on Tuesday out until Late July.
- RHP Alfredo Aceves is on the 15-day DL with lower back discomfort. May be lost for the season depending on the results of some more testing.
- 3B Alex Rodriguez left late in Sundays game with sore groin. He expects to be in the lineup.

ORIOLES:
- RP Michael González is on the 60-day DL with a strained left shoulder.
- RP Jim Johnson is on the 15-day DL wit a small tear in his right elbow.
- OF Felix Pié is on the 60-day DL with a strained left shoulder
- 2B Brian Roberts is on the 60-day DL with a strained abdominal muscle.
- RP Alfredo Simon is on the 15-day DL with a strained left hamstring.
- SP Koji Uehara is on the 15-day DL with a right elbow strain.
- RHP David Hernandez is day-to-day with right shoulder discomfort

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