The Yankees’ very frustrating losing streak came to an end on Thursday, as they knocked off the Angels in a Thursday matinee. Over the course of the six consecutive losses, the Yankees’ offense plated just six runs, which they single-handedly outscored in the 7-3 win that finally broke the losing run. Now, they’ll hope to carry that good momentum over into a series against the Orioles.

Baltimore is very much in the running for the most disappointing team so far this season. Having been seen as one of the contenders for the AL East this season, they’ve slumped to a 32-42 record and currently sit last in the division. However, they still do have the raw talent — especially on offense — to be pretty good, so if the Yankees fall right back into their funk, the O’s definitely could take advantage. For what it’s worth, they’re healthier now and have also played better under interim manager Tony Mansolino (17-14) since letting Brandon Hyde go in mid-May, and they’re 11-6 in June after splitting a four-game set with the Rays in Tampa.

Before the action gets going tonight, let’s take a look at the expected pitching matchups for this weekend.

Friday: Max Fried vs. Tomoyuki Sugano (7:05 pm ET)

While he’s not having to take the mound coming off a Yankees’ loss this time, Fried very much has been the Yankees’ stopper this season. With his 1.89 ERA and 2.89 FIP, Fried has been the winning pitcher of record seven different times in a game immediately following a Bombers’ loss. The Yankees’ offensive struggles were too much for him to overcome last time out, but if they’re at all back to normal, you can generally feel pretty confident with Fried on the mound.

The 35-year old “rookie” Sugano has been pretty solid for the Orioles this season with a 3.38 ERA and 1.138 WHIP in 14 starts, albeit with a less shiny 4.70 FIP. He faced the Yankees back on April 28th in Baltimore, lasting just five innings but allowing no runs on five hits. According to Game Score, that marks his third-best start of the year so far. Cedric Mullins did help Sugano out in his final frame, potentially robbing a two-run homer from Paul Goldschmidt.

Saturday: Clarke Schmidt vs. Zach Eflin (1:05 pm ET)

Schmidt’s start against the Angels on Monday was probably his best of the year to this point, as he shut them out over 7.2 frames, allowing just four hits. He was just another victim in the Yankees’ 30-inning scoreless slump, as he got no run support. While he got off to a bit of a slow start after making a late arrival to the season due to injury, over the last month or so, he has a 2.00 ERA in 36 innings over six outings.

Eflin was Baltimore’s Opening Day starter, and to be honest, he has not been very good this season, with a 4.81 ERA and a 5.01 FIP. He actually was pretty solid to begin 2025, but since an injured list stint from April to early May to address a lat strain, he’s struggled to the tune of a 5.63 ERA That includes giving up 7 runs on 12 hits against his old club, the Rays, in his last start.

Sunday: Will Warren vs. Dean Kremer (11:35 am ET)

Take notice of the morning start time for the series finale, which will see Warren take the hill. This game will be unaffected by blackouts and on Roku, which is free, but it will involve tracking that app down. While Warren allowed three runs and, as I say yet again, fell victim to the offense’s slump and took the loss, the rookie had one of his more impressive outings earlier this week against the Angels. He struck out 11 Halos batters in a losing effort that was hardly his fault solely.

Kremer is another O’s pitcher who has struggled, which is arguably the big reason for their struggles as a whole. In 2025, he’s posted a 4.80 ERA and has been roughly replacement-level. Kremer missed the Yankees when these teams met the last time around, but he has had their number last year, holding them to just five runs in 16.2 innings.