As the trade deadline quickly approaches (this Sunday at 4pm) the Yankees have decisions to make o
n their starting rotation, bullpen and lineup. As the front office is making calls to other teams, the Yankees will be on the field against Baltimore in a four game weekend series in the Bronx. The series includes a double header on Saturday afternoon and night.
The Yankees will bring Ivan Nova up from the minors to pitch in the second game of the double header on Saturday. This start for Nova is a big start for the team to determine whether they believe he can grab a spot in the rotation, or if he will be involved in a trade at the deadline. A.J. Burnett will go on Friday against Jeremy Guthrie (4-14), Bartolo Colon will face Zach Britton (6-7) and in the Sunday capper Freddy Garcia goes against Jake Arrieta (10-7). The Orioles have yet to announce a starter for the Saturday night game in the double header, but regardless, I would think Nova has the edge against anyone the O’s can throw.
New York’s line up has the complete advantage over Baltimore’s in this series. Granderson and Texieria continue to hit big home runs as they are currently tied in second place in entire league with 28 long balls apiece. Captain Derek Jeter is batting .318 with nine RBI in the past seven days and is hitting .375 against the Orioles this season. If Jeter can set the table and get on base against the young O’s staff, the Yankee run producers should be able to come through and produce all series.
The Yankees look poised to make a run if their pitching staff is steady and I see them taking three of four against the Orioles in this weekend set against Baltimore.
Justin McElrath
NYYUniverse.com Staff Writer
Follow me on Twitter @Justin_McElrath
