What a difference four days makes. The last game I recapped the Yankees were in the thick of Peak Offensive Ineptitude, losers of a third straight shutout and at perhaps the lowest point so far this season. They won on Thursday and put together an encouraging offensive night last night, and if that carries over today against the Orioles, I’m feeling positive.
The Yankees had ten hits and five walks last night, really solid building blocks compared to where we were a few days ago. There’s nothing you can do about the games you’ve already lost, so keep the strong approach and count on good things happening going forward. Zach Eflin, going for the O’s today, is the kind of pitcher that you can make a strong approach count against too.
A 4.81 ERA and 5.01 FIP on the year, Eflin is dealing with his lowest strikeout rate of his career, but he still packs the zone. A super healthy 3.8 percent walk rate means the ball’s going to be there for you — and indeed, he’s allowing his highest average against since 2017. Go hit him.
Clarke Schmidt, meanwhile, keep doing what you’re doing. He’s coming off a dynamite 7.2 inning, 0 earned run outing against the Angels earlier this week, his second straight start not allowing a run. Schmidt hasn’t seen a runner cross the plate since June 4th, and while we’ve learned the last week that you can pitch pretty damn well and still lose, if Schmidt keeps this up good things are going to happen.
Ben Rice is the winner of musical chairs today, at first base and leading off while both Paul Goldschmidt and Giancarlo Stanton grab pine. Aaron Judge is our DH.
How to watch
Location: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY
First pitch: 1:05pm ET
TV broadcast: YES, MASN, MLB Network (out-of-market only)
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY); 98 Rock 97.9 FM, WBAL 1090 AM (BAL)
Online stream: Gotham Sports App, MLB.tv (out-of-market)
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