Baltimore @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2012 ) Baltimore 6, NY Yankees 1
The Baltimore Orioles are making themselves comfortable in the Bronx - and if the trend continues, they could find themselves in a tie for the American League East lead at the conclusion of the weekend. Manager Buck Showalter's charges will vie for their sixth win in seven outings at Yankee Stadium on Saturday when the division rivals continue their pivotal three-game set. Mark Reynolds belted a pair of homers as the Orioles cruised to a 6-1 triumph on Friday. The victory was Baltimore's 21st win in 30 contests and moved it to within two games of the Yankees.
New York is headed in the opposite direction after falling for the seventh time in 10 games. Curtis Granderson's 34th homer in the ninth inning did little to alter the game's complexion as the majority of the crowd had already made its way to the exits. The Yankees will attempt to prevent Baltimore from winning all three series in New York this season.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Wei-Yin Chen (12-7, 3.78 ERA) vs. Yankees RH David Phelps (3-4, 2.96)
Much like his team, Chen is starting to heat up. The 27-year-old Taiwan native is 4-1 in his last six starts - with the no-decision coming on the heels of a brilliant eight-strikeout performance versus the Chicago White Sox on Monday. Chen defeated the Yankees on May 15 after pitching seven solid innings in a 5-2 triumph.
Phelps has collected seven strikeouts in each of his last two outings, but failed to pick up the victory in either case. The 25-year-old allowed two homers in 6 1/3 innings versus Toronto but was saddled with a no-decision. Phelps has won his lone career decision against Baltimore, although he yielded three hits in a scoreless inning of relief to do so.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Orioles added LHP Randy Wolf to their 25-man roster. The veteran, who was released by Milwaukee last week, is expected to work out of the bullpen.
2. Speaking of veteran hurlers, LHP Andy Pettitte tossed 20 pitches during a bullpen session on Friday. Pettitte has been sidelined for two months while recovering from a fractured left ankle.
3. New York shifted its rotation around for the weekend' series as Phelps moved up a day while RHP Phil Hughes will pitch the series finale on Sunday. Veteran Freddy Garcia will take the mound on Tuesday against Tampa Bay.