The Yankees desperately need some wins as they are currently level with the Blue Jays for second place in the division. It is imperative they grab second in the division, as they would otherwise be at risk of falling to a Wild Card spot and therefore face a team like the Rays or the A’s in the first round. They can take a big step toward that goal with what is now a huge doubleheader against the Orioles.
Michael King gets the nod as starter for the Yankees. This announcement came as a bit of a surprise as Deivi García seemed to be up for his spot in the rotation. García thrilled in his major league debut, and looked to have earned another shot on the mound. King meanwhile has turned in middling numbers as a starter and a reliever, and it is imperative that he eats a good amount of innings with yet another injury setback to the bullpen. On the year, King is 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA, 4.87 FIP, and 1.269 WHIP in 17.1 innings.
Thomas Eshelman was also a surprise announcement to start the game, as staff leader Alex Cobb is on full rest. Eshelman has been stingy as both a starter and reliever, and could give a diminished Yankees lineup some trouble. In seven games (two starts), the Baltimore righty is 3-0 with a 3.48 ERA, 5.46 FIP, and 0.823 WHIP in 20.2 innings.
Gio Urshela’s trip to the IL is just another blow for the already injury-crippled lineup, as the offense is averaging only 3.6 runs/game in a 14-game stretch that has seen them go 4-10. The Orioles could very well give this Yankees batting order a run for their money, as it is hard to see where the runs will come from outside of Luke Voit, DJ LeMahieu, and Clint Frazier.
All set for a doubleheader in Baltimore.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 4, 2020
Presented by @WeVisitMexico pic.twitter.com/GpJKVeArr5
As for the hosts, there are plenty of runs in this lineup, as Anthony Santander, Jose Iglesias, Renato Nunez, and Hanser Alberto have all turned in above-average offensive production so far this season.
A lot of baseball today. pic.twitter.com/4mqDBjUWgA
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 4, 2020
How to watch:
Location: Oriole Stadium at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD.
First pitch: 5:05 p.m. EDT
TV broadcast: YES Network
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM
Online Stream: Fox Sports Go
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