The Yankees Look to Snap Their Losing Streak When They Face the Orioles

Friday July 22, 2022

After Being Swept in a Doubleheader Yesterday, the Yankees will be Either Vulnerable or Enraged

The New York Yankees are struggling for the first time since April.

After being swept by the Astros in a doubleheader on Thursday, the Yankees are now 3-7 in their last ten games and 14-13 in their last 27.

A three-game set with the Orioles would have been just what the doctor ordered for the Bombers to get back on track in the previous five seasons, but the Orioles have taken a massive step and now at 46-46 after going 21-11 over their last 32 games in the first half.

Friday: Jameson Taillon vs. Tyler Wells, 7:05 P.M. EDT

At first look, Friday night’s pitching matchup between the Yankees’ Jameson Taillon and the Orioles’ Tyler Wells appears to favor the Pinstripes. Looking past the name value, it’s Wells who enters this competition in better shape.

Wells, like the rest of the O’s, got off to a slow start in 2022. The 27-year-old had a 4.41 ERA in his first 8 starts of the season, and opponents were hitting .280 against him.

Unfortunately, the veteran right-recipe hander’s hasn’t been working lately. Taillon has a 7.00 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 27 innings of work over his last five starts. And, while his 4.30 xFIP suggests he’s been unlucky in that time, the overall body of work is still troubling when you consider the price you must pay for Taillon due to the team behind him.

Saturday: Gerrit Cole vs. Jordan Lyles, 7:05 P.M. EDT

Gerrit Cole appears to be hitting his stride lately, with back-to-back seven-inning, double-digit strikeout outings against the Reds and Red Sox. In terms of velocity, movement, and command, his fastball has rounded into shape as the season has progressed and is looking as good as we’ve seen from him during his Yankees tenure. Cole is 9-2 with a 3.02 ERA (126 ERA+), 3.29 FIP, and 147 strikeouts in 113.1 innings in 19 starts.

Sunday: Nestor Cortes vs. Dean Kremer, 1:35 P.M. EDT

Cortes, like Cole and Taillon, pitched seven innings of four-hit, one-run ball against the Reds in his final start before the break, displaying some of his best stuff of the year. His fastball velocity has actually increased throughout the season, which makes me wonder if he’s focusing on throwing it with maximum effort rather than necessarily locating it on the corners. Cortes is 7-3 with a 2.63 ERA (145 ERA+), 3.56 FIP, and 99 strikeouts in 95.2 innings in 17 starts.

We’ve grown accustomed to seeing big prices on the Orioles when they play the Yankees over the last half-decade, so seeing +135 on Baltimore, even with the Orioles at home, may not seem all that appealing. But now seems like a good time to back the Orioles, who are catching the Yankees off guard.

What do you think, leave a comment below?