:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60668943/usa-today-10930779.0.0.0.jpg)
It's hard to comprehend a 26-66 club having a winning record against any opponent. It's harder to imagine said club having a winning record against one of the best teams in Major League Baseball. After last night's win, the Orioles are now 5-4 this season against the Yankees. 2018 isn't all bad, O's fans!
In order to pick up the series victory tonight and continue their "dominance" of New York, Dylan Bundy will need to be better than he was in Minnesota. That performance on July 6 was not pretty: five runs, nine hits, 3.1 innings. It was his first outing after returning from the disabled list and perhaps his ankle was still bothering him. Let's hope it's feeling better tonight.
Sonny Gray, who has been a disappointment this season, pitches for New York. He brings an ERA of 5.85 into this matchup and is a weak link in the rotation that the Yanks' front office would like to address before the trading deadline. The O's seem to have the advantage tonight when it comes to starting pitchers.
You will notice Trey Mancini absent from the starting lineup this evening. Buck Showalter said that Mancini is physically fine, but is just getting a rest. Buck left the possibility open of this "rest" lasting more than one game. Maybe an extended rest will benefit Mancini as it benefited Jonathan Schoop. Joey Rickard, fresh off a two-run double last night, is taking his place in left field. Danny Valencia gets back into the starting lineup in right field.
We recently got word that Andrew Cashner is going to land on the disabled list with a neck strain. Yefry Ramirez has been recalled and could start Saturday or Sunday. Chris Tillman is currently scheduled to pitch for Norfolk on Sunday and is also an option to pitch for the O's this weekend. I suspect many O's fans will have strong feelings about that.