Orioles-Yankees Preview

Any time a New York Yankees' hitter steps into the batter's box against a Baltimore Orioles pitcher, there is a possibility the ball will fly over the fence for a home run.

Heading into the opener of Monday's day-night doubleheader at Yankee Stadium, New York is on a 12-game winning streak against the Orioles, mostly because of its ability to put on a power display.

New York leads the season series 13-2 and has won every meeting since March 31.

During the season series, the Yankees have hit 52 homers and scored 118 runs while posting a .301 batting average and a 1.028 OPS. They are hitting a homer off Baltimore once every 10.3 at-bats, and their 52 homers in the season series are a major league record against one opponent in a season.

"We have guys that are capable of that," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said last week. "They've done a good job of taking advantage of mistakes. Seems like everyone up and down our lineup has had their fair share, and they capitalize."

The Yankees hit 16 homers in Baltimore last week, and this season 17 different players have connected against the Orioles.

Gleyber Torres has 10 homers against the Orioles but sat out last week due to a core muscle injury.

Gary Sanchez has nine homers in the season series even though he was on the injured list last week.

"It just shows you how long we have to go to be a competitive team in the American League East, to have the pitching to be able to compete," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said last week. "Their guys are just way better than our guys."

Eighteen different pitchers have allowed a homer against the Yankees for the Orioles, who head into the four-game series having been taken deep 241 times.

Both teams head into the series coming off wins on Sunday.

New York is 10-2 in its last 12 games after Masahiro Tanaka pitched into the ninth and Aroldis Chapman retired rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a 13-pitch at-bat in Sunday's 1-0 win at Toronto.

The Orioles were outscored 58-16 during a five-game losing streak that culminated in a 23-2 loss to the Houston Astros on Saturday. Baltimore rebounded from allowing six homers and 25 hits by getting a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning by Rio Ruiz in an 8-7 win.

James Paxton (7-6, 4.40 ERA) will start the opening game of the doubleheader for the Yankees and is 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA in his last two starts after posting a 5.68 ERA in his previous five. Paxton last pitched in Wednesday's 14-2 win at Baltimore when he pitched 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball.

The left-hander is 4-1 with a 3.38 ERA in six career starts against Baltimore.

The Yankees did not announce who will start the nightcap, but are expected to use an opener, which likely will be Chad Green.

Gabriel Ynoa (1-6, 5.57) is expected to get the nod in the first game for Baltimore, and it will be his ninth start. This year as a starting pitcher, Ynoa is 0-5 with a 6.45 ERA.

In his last start last Monday, Ynoa allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings and took a no-decision against the Yankees.

Ynoa is 0-1 with a 4.05 ERA in four career appearances (two starts) against New York.

The Orioles did not announce who will start the nightcap.

-- Field Level Media