New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles: Luis Cessa vs. David Hess

After winning their weekend series against the Rays, the Yankees return home with a chance to tie those Rays — who are off today — for first place in the AL East. Standing in their way will be the 14-26 Orioles, a club the Bombers swept during their previous meeting in early April.

New York began the season with a 6-9 record, but the team has rebounded in a big way by taking 18 of their past 25, despite a plethora of injuries to key contributors. One of those contributors, Aaron Hicks, will make his long-awaited season debut today, and will be thrown right into the fire batting leadoff. Hicks emerged as one of the top center fielders in the game during the last few seasons, posting an impressive 127 wRC+ from 2017 to 2018 while playing above-average defense. His return could be a major boost to a lineup that has been without its elite starting outfield.

The Yankees will send out Luis Cessa in place of Jonathan Loaisiga, the game’s scheduled starter who was today placed on the injured list with a right rotator cuff strain. Loaisiga was himself the replacement for James Paxton, also on the injured list with knee inflammation. Cessa (3.32 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 19 innings) has greatly benefited from his full-time move to the bullpen this year, but will be forced to make his first start of the year given the loss of Paxton, Loaisiga, and Luis Severino.

Opposite Cessa will be David Hess, who is 0-4 with a 7.27 ERA since pitching a gem on April 1.

Here are the lineups:

First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM EDT. You can watch on YES, stream on FuboTV or MLB.tv, and listen along with WFAN or WADO. Go Yankees!