ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball will feature a pair of American League East rivals this weekend. The Baltimore Orioles will host the New York Yankees in what will be the final game of their four-game weekend series. The Yankees have won the first three games this weekend, and will be looking to complete the series sweep.
The Baltimore Orioles have a slim lead over the Kansas City Royals for the worst record in baseball. The Orioles could use the worst record, and top 2019 draft pick to begin improving for the future. The New York Yankees lead both the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners by a comfortable margin in the American League Wild Card race. The New York Yankees are HUGE favorites over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.
Orioles Struggling To Score Runs
The Baltimore Orioles have struggled to score runs all season long, but it became more of an issue after trading away Manny Machado. The Orioles rank 28th in the Major Leagues in total runs scored, and don’t feature a very potent everyday lineup. Veteran outfielder Adam Jones is now the biggest offensive threat in the Orioles lineup, but he has been scuffling of late.
The Orioles pitching staff hasn’t been much better than the offense this season. The pitching staff has a combined earned run average of 5.13, which is the second worst in the Major Leagues. The Orioles will send struggling right–hander Dylan Bundy to the mound on Sunday night. Bundy sports a 5.31 earned run average this seaso, and gave up five runs in four innings against the Yankees on July 11.
Yankees Dealing With Injuries
The New York Yankees have fared well this weekend despite being without several key starters. Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorius and Gary Sanchez are all on the disabled list for New York, but Sanchez and Gregorius could return soon. Aaron Judge has yet to swing a bat as he is trying to come back after being out with a broken bone in his right wrist. Giancarlo Stanton (32 homers, 81 RBI’s) has picked up the offensive slack in their absence.
Luis Severino will try to earn his league leading 17th win on Sunday night for the Yankees. The hard throwing right hander is 16-6 with a 3.28 earned run average this season, but has been slumping of late. He has gone just 2-4 in his last six starts. Severino has not faced the Orioles this season, but will look to get back on track against a struggling ballclub.
NY Sweeps Baltimore
The Orioles have been outscored 22-9 so far this weekend, and face the Yankees ace on Sunday night. The Orioles have done a decent job generating offense in this series, but their pitching has let them down. The Yankees simply have too much offensive firepower for the Orioles pitching staff.
The New York Yankees came into this series needing a sweep, and it appears that they are going to get it. Severino should shut down the Orioles on Sunday night while the Yankees bats stay hot. Take the New York Yankees -270 over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday Night Baseball.
