MLB Lines: The New York Yankees have begun to perk up with the warmer temperatures to get back into the race in the American League East Division where the upstart Toronto Blue Jays had a surprise lead. The Baltimore Orioles were also in the race but, like the Yankees, were suffering from inconsistent pitching. The New York Yankees will host the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on Friday night with coverage on MLBN starting at 7:05 PM ET.
Yankees Metrics Cast Doubt
The Yankees have numbers that suggest it will be a struggle to make the post season as they rank 17th for run production, 20th for OPS, 22nd for home runs, 18th for earned run average, 24th for bullpen ERA, and 18th for quality starts. New York was just 13-16 at home with 17 of their home games going under the total.
O’s Turn on Power
Baltimore ranks 5th in MLB for home runs as that is the aspect of their game that has kept them in the race. Baltimore was a good board value on the road with a mark of 19-16 with 21 of their 35 away games going over the total. The Orioles also struggled on the hill ranking 23rd for ERA, 24th for WHIP, 27th for quality starts and 16th for bullpen ERA. Baltimore had good fielding and ranks 8th for fewest errors.
The Pick
The Yankees have had a slim edge over the Orioles at Yankee Stadium with 11 wins in their last 20 games at home in this series as just 5 out of the last 18 games at New York between the Orioles and Yankees have gone over the total. Baltimore gets the call.