New York Yankees Previews: Yankees try to salvage the finale with the Baltimore Orioles

New York Yankees, Masahiro Tanaka
Oct 12, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) reacts against the Houston Astros in the second inning in game one of the 2019 ALCS playoff baseball series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees go into the 1:05 pm matinee today with the Baltimore Orioles, hoping to salvage the finale of the four-game series. The Yankees won the first game, but have lost the last two against a team that they have been dominant with at Camden Yards.

The Yankees have been playing horribly in their last sixteen games, and hope to right that today against those lowly Orioles.  In last night’s game, Gerrit Cole was cruising to a win, striking out eight of the first nine O’s.  Then came the sixth inning when he gave up five runs, one earned. The meltdown as started by Thairo Estrada whose errant throw cost the Yankees four runs. The Yankee bats were also dead for the most part as they went 0-9 with runners in scoring position. Clint Frazier sparked with a home run and a 2-4 performance in the game. Kyle Higashioka also had two hits in the game.  Unfortunately, Gary Sanchez who was the DH continued to waste space in the lineup going 0 for 4 on the night.

As of last night, the New York Yankees were supposed to face Asher Wojciechowski, however, there must be something going on with him, as this morning he was removed as the starter for Baltimore.

The game today at 1:05 pm that will be played at Orioles Park at Camden Yards, will be played under completely sunny skies with no chance of rain.  The game-time temperature on the field will be in the low ’80s with low humidity and a light southerly breeze. The game will be televised on the YES Network and MASN in Baltimore

The New York Yankees will send out Masahiro Tanaka in the four-game finale. Tanaka after a slow start this season, after getting hit in the head at the end of summer camp has pitched much better in his last two starts. In his last two starts against the Braves and Rays, he has gone eleven innings allowing only six hits and one home run. He only walked one batter while striking out 11 players. Tanaka unlike other Yankee pitchers has not pitched very well at Camden Yards. He has a 5.22 ERA over seven starts are Orioles Park.  The Yankees hope he can right that in today’s matinee. Tanaka overall this season is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in six games.

After the Yankees complete today’s game they will travel to Buffalo to play three games with the Toronto Blue Jay, who are presently tied with for second place in the East Division. When they finish that series they will again play the Baltimore Orioles in a four-game set, those games will be at Yankee Stadium.