Orioles-Yankees series preview

The Yankees (54-37) continue their homestand against the Orioles (41-50) this week, starting tonight at 7:05 p.m.

Head-to-Head:
The Yankees have won seven of nine games against the Orioles this season, most recently sweeping them in late May. After this week, the two teams will meet again at the end of August and once more in September.

Pitching Matchups:

Date:	Orioles starters:	Yankees starters:
Monday	David Hernandez (2-2, 3.94)	Andy Pettitte (8-5, 4.85)
Tuesday	Rich Hill (3-2, 7.22)	Sergio Mitre (0-0, –.—)
Wednesday	Jason Berken (1-7, 6.44)	A.J. Burnett (8-4, 3.81)

Tonight’s start for Pettitte is very important for him because he is coming off his two worst starts of the year. It is highly unlikely he loses his spot in the rotation, and a good start tonight would cement his place.

Tuesday night will be fun to watch a first-time Yankees starter pitch. Luckily he is facing Hill, who has had an awful first half. Mitre hasn’t by any means earned a second start in pinstripes, but he could with a win on Tuesday.

Burnett will be the heavy favorite on Wednesday night’s matchup against Berken. Burnett has been dominant lately, and Berken hasn’t won since May 26.

My Outlook:
I think tonight’s game could be the only thing in the way of a sweep for the Yankees. Let’s face it, the Yankees’ bats should explode this week against a wretched Baltimore pitching staff.