Key plotlines to track as Yankees take on Orioles in the Bronx

Following a somewhat sluggish beginning to the season, primarily hindered by injuries, the Yankees have gradually started to regain their form. The team has recently experienced a notable upturn, culminating in what could be considered their most impressive week thus far. They triumphed in three out of four games against the Toronto Blue Jays and went on to sweep the Cincinnati Reds, concluding the period with an impressive 6-1 record.

Having secured victory in their past four consecutive games, the Yankees are currently enjoying a strong winning streak. Moreover, they have emerged victorious in three of their previous four series. As they head back to their home, Yankee Stadium, they are set to commence a six-game homestand, with the first three games featuring the Baltimore Orioles as their opponents.

Here are exciting story arcs to monitor during the Yankees’ home battle against the Orioles.

Will Aaron Judge remain red hot?

Since his triumphant return from injury, Aaron Judge continues to be instrumental in the Yankees’ offensive lineup, living up to the high expectations set for him. The towering slugger has seamlessly slipped back into his rhythm and has been on fire lately.

While the Yankees captain was given a day of rest in the series finale against the Reds on Sunday, he delivered an outstanding performance throughout the week, earning him the prestigious title of AL Player of the Week on Monday. It was undeniably one of his most impressive stretches this season, highlighting Judge’s significant impact on the team.

Judge displayed an extraordinary level of dominance at the plate, amassing a remarkable performance during the recent games. His batting average stood at an impressive .500, going 11-for-22, which positioned him at the top of the leaderboard in various statistical categories. Notably, the Yankees star led the entire league in “on-base percentage (.621), slugging percentage (1.273), and OPS (1.893) and joint-leader in the league for home runs (five), extra-base hits (seven), RBIs (11), and total bases (28).”

As the reigning 2022 AL MVP, the Yankees captain made significant contributions to the team’s success by delivering five game-winning RBI throughout the series against the Blue Jays and Reds, ultimately leading the Yankees to claim victory. Currently, his season statistics reflect a batting average of .299, accompanied by 13 home runs, 32 RBI, and a league-leading OPS of 1.042.

With his exceptional form, Judge now returns to his home turf to face the Orioles, a team against which he has historically excelled, showcasing his prowess as a formidable opponent for the upcoming series.

Can Gerrit Cole continue his dominance?

Gerrit Cole has made an outstanding impact as the anchor of the Yankees‘ starting rotation this season. With an impressive performance in his ten starts, he has accumulated seven quality starts and maintained an exceptional 2.01 ERA, which ranks fifth in Major League Baseball. Additionally, Cole has showcased remarkable control with a 1.09 WHIP and has recorded an impressive 68 strikeouts.

In his most recent outing, Gerrit Cole delivered a dominant performance on the mound, showcasing his prowess as a pitcher. Despite his exceptional effort, Cole was unable to secure the win due to a lack of offensive support from his team. During the game against the Blue Jays, he delivered an impressive performance by pitching six shutout innings and striking out six opposing batters. However, the Yankees ultimately suffered a 3-0 extra-inning loss in that game.

Although Gerrit Cole has not had a start against the Orioles in the current season, his track record against them throughout his career is impressive. In his ten earlier starts against the Orioles, Cole dominated them and had a complete game shutout. He had a 2.33 ERA against them.

As Gerrit Cole gets ready to start the series opener on Tuesday night, he aims to maintain the Yankees’ momentum and contribute to their continued success. With his exceptional pitching abilities and track record, Cole will play a crucial role in keeping the team on a positive trajectory.

Will Cortes bounce back?

The crafty left-hander has faced some early struggles in the 2023 season. Despite his impressive performance last year, Nestor Cortes has faced difficulties in the early stages of this season. In his first nine starts, he has struggled with a 5.21 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts in 48.1 innings pitched.

However, there is a glimmer of hope as Cortes is coming off his strongest start of the year. In a matchup against the Blue Jays, he showcased his abilities by delivering his third quality start of the season. During the six innings he pitched, Cortes allowed only two runs on five hits while issuing just one walk and striking out six.

Cortes is slated to be on the mound for the Yankees in the second game of the series, facing off against Tyler Wells, the right-handed pitcher for the Orioles, on Wednesday night. In their previous encounter on April 9, Cortes performed admirably, surrendering two runs and striking out five over 5.1 innings. With his upcoming start, Cortes aims to capitalize on the momentum from his last outing and maintain his positive trajectory moving forward.

Will Clay Holmes be able to stem his slide?

Similar to Cortes, Clay Holmes has encountered a challenging beginning to the season. Following an exceptional All-Star season where he converted 20 out of 25 save opportunities, Clay Holmes experienced a significant decline in performance at the start of this year. Consequently, he relinquished his role as the Yankees’ closer, with Aaron Boone entrusting Michael King and Wandy Peralta to handle closing duties.

Instead of being confined to a specific role, Holmes has been assigned various pitching situations. Although his recent performances have had their struggles, he seems to be regaining the trust of the Yankees gradually.

In the Yankees’ 4-1 victory over the Reds on Sunday afternoon, Holmes navigated through two hits and a walk to earn his fifth save of the season. Impressively, he has now gone nine consecutive appearances without surrendering a run.

With a current ERA of 3.26 and a WHIP of 1.45, Holmes has made improvements in his performance. He has also showcased a strong strikeout rate of 11.9 K/9 this season. How manager Aaron Boone manages the late innings, not only in this series but also in the future, will be an intriguing aspect to monitor.

Can the Yankees hold off the young Orioles?

The Orioles have emerged as one of the positive surprises in the early months of the regular season. With a 31-16 record, they currently hold the second spot in the American League East, trailing the Rays by just 2.5 games.

During their series at Camden Yards in the second week of the season, the Orioles posed a significant challenge to the Yankees, causing some concern for the New York team. The series featured three closely contested games, with the Yankees ultimately coming out on top, winning two out of three matchups.

Both the Yankees and the Orioles are entering this series with impressive momentum. The Orioles recently completed a successful three-game series on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays, securing a sweep and demonstrating their strong form. Over their last ten games, they have emerged victorious in seven, highlighting their consistent performance. Similarly, the Yankees have been on a hot streak, setting the stage for an exciting clash between two teams in excellent form.

Baltimore possesses a promising young lineup spearheaded by Cedric Mullins and Adley Rutschman, who has been instrumental in the team’s success. Their contributions have solidified the Orioles as a competitive force in the AL East and they are expected to maintain their impactful presence, ensuring that they remain a prominent contender in the division.

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