Preview: Yankees vs Orioles (6/20/14)

The Yankees continue their AL East gauntlet with Hiroki Kuroda (4-5, 4.32 ERA) taking on Ubaldo Jimenez (2-8 4.86 ERA) and the O's. Kuroda's last start in Oakland was delayed 38 minutes in the middle of the game due to lights going out at O.co. He allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings taking the loss. Kuroda and Jimenez faced off the first time Baltimore and the Yanks saw each other this season. Jimenez allowed four runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Kuroda allowed two runs on eight hits in 6 1/3.

Jimenez has some ugly career numbers against the Yankees and will try to turn things around in the series opener. The struggling former All Star allowed two earned runs over six innings in his last outing against Toronto. "He's one of the best," Buck Showalter said. "It's a hard delivery to coach through, but his track record's been pretty true through the second half of the season. We're going to try to trust that."

Jimenez hasn't lived up to his $50 million deal he got this off season. Showalter is hoping an extra two days rest will be what it takes to get him throwing with more consistency. "I hope," Showalter said. "Some people say, 'Well, then is it too far away from pitching?' In his case, he's responded well to it, so we hope it happens again."

Notes on the game

The Yanks are now tied in the loss column with the first place Blue Jays after completing the sweep yesterday.

Jimenez leads the Majors with 45 walks.

First pitch at 7:05 PM on My9