The New York Yankees faced off against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday evening after taking the first game of a three-game series. The Yankees featured Gerrit Cole on the mound as the starting pitcher just one night after star relief arm Michael King suffered a fractured right elbow.
There is no question that general manager Brian Cashman is feeling the pressure as the trade deadline approaches. Despite reports indicating the team could be involved in the Juan Soto sweepstakes, they have multiple other needs demanding attention. With about two weeks left until the deadline, Cashman will undoubtedly be working overtime.
Good news and bad news for the Yankees in loss to Orioles:
In Saturday’s loss to Baltimore, Yankee starter Gerrit Cole tossed 112 pitches with 80 strikes. The Orioles recorded nine hits off the Yankees’ Ace, recording four runs and striking out six batters.
Cole was stellar until the 5th inning when Cedric Mullins singled to shallow center, driving in a run. A few unfortunate bloopers put Cole in a tumultuous spot, and going 112 pitches was already pushing the limit.
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Unfortunately, manager Aaron Boone decided to hand the ball to Shane Greene after Albert Abreu posted an efficient inning. Greene proceeded to give up two earned runs, putting the Yankees in a three-run hole going into the top of the 9th inning.
With two men on, the Yankees couldn’t muster any offensive production, despite an impeccable performance from Aaron Judge. Judge posted four hits on five at-bats, including two RBIs.
However, the Orioles earned 10 hits on the evening, doing just enough to push them over the hump. Boone is already feeling the repercussions of losing King, one of the best bullpen arms in baseball this year.
King is projected to miss the rest of the 2022 season after posting a 2.29 ERA over 51 innings. The Yankees don’t have anybody on the roster that can replicate his production, putting Cashman in a tough spot at the deadline with assets to spend.
The expectation is that Cashman will utilize some of his prospects to inject more talent into a roster that has World Series aspirations. Notably, they need a starting pitcher and a solid bullpen piece. Keep an eye on Chicago Cubs relief arm David Robertson as a potential fit on a half-year rental.