The New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles are set for another crucial series in the grinder that is the AL East. Last night saw the O’s mount a successful comeback victory on Yankee soil. New York, nonetheless, is slated to bounce back as -134 home favorites. The total for the game stands at nine.

The weather conditions are fairly neutral, with a 64-degree temperature in the Bronx and an eight miles-per-hour crosswind blowing from the left flagpole to the right one, unlikely to significantly influence play.

The spotlight is on Kyle Gibson for Baltimore. Gibson’s recent stats reveal a concerning 5.14 xFIP over the past 30 days, along with a low strikeout rate. However, he has performed commendably against right-handed batters, boasting a .273 wOBA and a .038 ISO – quite impressive numbers. Left-handed batters, on the other hand, have had more success, with a .382 wOBA against him. New York’s lineup includes only a few left-handed hitters like Anthony Rizzo, Jake Bauers, and Oswaldo Cabrera. A noteworthy prop could be Rizzo hitting a home run or RBI.

Turning our attention to the Orioles, their recent offensive prowess suggests they could repeat their performance today. On the mound opposing them is Clarke Schmidt, boasting a decent xFIP of 4.00. He demonstrates commendable skills against right-handed batters but could encounter issues facing the likely five to six left-handed batters in Baltimore’s lineup. In the past month, left-handed hitters have a .401 wOBA and a .188 ISO against Schmidt, indicating a potential area of concern.

This might nudge favor towards the Orioles, who could be looking to capitalize on Schmidt’s struggles against left-handed batters. Given Baltimore’s recent hot streak with the bats, they could indeed pose a challenge for the Yankees.

In terms of overall standings, while much attention has been on the Tampa Bay Rays, the Baltimore Orioles hold the second-best record in MLB and sit second in the division. The Yankees, three games behind, are aiming to narrow the gap. A win for New York would not only allow them to cut into that lead but also clinch the series. With these stakes, it’s a high-pressure game in the Bronx.