The New York Yankees roll into Baltimore with momentum, coming off a 10-5 win over the Twins. Trent Grisham powered that victory with a big night at the plate.
The postseason picture is sharpening, and this series against the Orioles suddenly feels huge. The Yankees want to hold onto the top American League Wild Card spot—and maybe, just maybe, make a late push in the AL East.
Yankees Riding the Bats into Baltimore
Trent Grisham stole the show in Minnesota, launching his fifth multi-home run game this season. His clutch hitting not only clinched the series but also gave the Yankees a much-needed boost before heading to Camden Yards.
The team rolled into Baltimore at 3:30 a.m. EDT, probably exhausted but still in a solid spot. They’re 85-67, leading the Wild Card by two games over both Boston and Seattle.
Chasing the Blue Jays in the AL East
Sure, the Yankees are in line for October baseball, but they’re hungry for the AL East crown. Toronto leads the division by four games, so every matchup now feels like a must-win.
Beating playoff contenders is tough enough, but dropping games to teams like Baltimore could be even more costly. The O’s can play spoiler if the Yankees let their guard down.
Baltimore’s Role as a Late-Season Wild Card
The Orioles sit at 72-80, last in the AL East, but they haven’t made things easy for anyone lately. For New York, Baltimore is both a chance to keep rolling and a potential stumbling block.
Winning these games matters, but the Orioles have nothing to lose. That’s always a little dangerous, isn’t it?
Pitching Matchup: Max Fried vs. Cade Povich
Game one features ace Max Fried on the mound for New York. He’s put together a 17-5 record with a sharp 3.03 ERA, and his playoff experience gives the Yankees plenty of confidence.
Baltimore counters with lefty Cade Povich, who’s struggled to a 3-7 record and a 5.05 ERA. Home runs have been a problem for him, especially versus New York—he gave up bombs to Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt back in April.
If Povich can’t keep the ball in the park, Baltimore could be in trouble.
Yankees’ Projected Lineup
The Bronx Bombers will mix power and speed against the O’s. Here’s what the batting order should look like:
- 1B: Paul Goldschmidt
- RF: Aaron Judge
- LF: Cody Bellinger
- DH: Giancarlo Stanton
- 2B: Amed Rosario
- CF: Trent Grisham
- SS: Anthony Volpe
- 3B: Jose Caballero
- C: Austin Wells
Key Players to Watch
Aaron Judge is still the guy pitchers fear most, and he’s already had success against Povich. Goldschmidt brings steady leadership at first, and Grisham’s hot streak could keep the offense humming.
Postseason Push Intensifies
With just 10 games left, the Yankees don’t have much wiggle room. They’ll need strong starts, clutch hitting in the middle of the order, and no slip-ups against teams out of contention.
If they take care of business in Baltimore, they’ll keep the Wild Card lead and maybe even chase down Toronto. It’s crunch time—no doubt about it.
Final Thoughts
New York’s series opener in Baltimore isn’t just another late-September contest. It’s a shot to lock in their playoff spot and show everyone they’re ready for the postseason.
If Max Fried comes through and the bats stay hot, the Yankees could leave Camden Yards with more than a win. Maybe they’ll pick up the spark they need for a real October run.
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Here is the source article for this story: Yankees announce lineup vs Orioles for Thursday’s game
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