New York Returns To The Bronx For The Opener As They Take On Baltimore

New York has been the road team for the last three games and has worn gray jerseys as they have been playing at Citi Field in Queens against Tampa Bay due to Hurricane Irma.

That series is now behind them as they won the series and they will now turn their attention back to the Bronx where they will host Baltimore and put on the pinstripes once again starting in the opener Thursday of this four game series.

Aaron Judge has hit nine of his American League-leading 41 home runs off Orioles pitchers, his most against any club, and the Yankees expect to have the rookie slugger rested and ready when they open a four-game series with Baltimore on Thursday evening at Yankee Stadium. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/orioles-vs-yankees/2017/09/14/492285#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492285

"I think we're going to look back on this year and we're going to say, 'Man, this kid had a really good year,'" Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He's had a special year. He's scored [109] runs, [110] walks, he's played outstanding defense, he runs the bases extremely well. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/orioles-vs-yankees/2017/09/14/492285#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492285

The Yankees are returning to the Bronx after their three-game series against the Rays was relocated to Citi Field by Hurricane Irma. Fourteen of New York's remaining 17 games will be played at Yankee Stadium, with only a three-game trip to Toronto remaining on its travel ledger. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/orioles-vs-yankees/2017/09/14/492285#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492285

The Yankees now trail Boston by three games in the American League East race and hold a three-game lead over the Twins for the top Wild Card spot. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/orioles-vs-yankees/2017/09/14/492285#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492285

Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka draws the start for New York, looking to bounce back after seeing his three-start winning streak snapped last time out when he surrendered seven runs in four-plus innings of an 11-5 loss to the Rangers. Tanaka is 6-4 with a 3.40 ERA in his last 13 starts. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/orioles-vs-yankees/2017/09/14/492285#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492285

Baltimore will counter with left-hander Wade Miley, who did not face the Yankees last week when New York took two of three games at Camden Yards, its first series victory there since September 2013. Miley has lost back-to-back starts, going 0-2 with a 4.63 ERA against the Blue Jays and Indians this month. New York has won nine of 15 games vs. Baltimore this season. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/orioles-vs-yankees/2017/09/14/492285#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492285

On one hand, Tanaka's 15.4 percent swinging-strike rate ranks fourth among pitchers with at least 2,000 pitches in 2017, behind only Max Scherzer, Corey Kluber and Chris Sale. On the other, Tanaka has allowed a barrel -- the most dangerous type of contact -- on 8.7 percent of balls put in play against him, according to Statcast. That's the eighth-highest rate among more than 120 pitchers who have generated at least 300 batted balls. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/orioles-vs-yankees/2017/09/14/492285#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492285

 Judge was just 7-for-30 in his last nine games entering Wednesday, but he has 11 walks in that span. He has four homers and 10 runs scored in that stretch. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/orioles-vs-yankees/2017/09/14/492285#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492285

 Baltimore's starting pitchers had combined to go 0-8 with a 6.75 ERA over the team's last 13 games entering play on Wednesday. The last Orioles starter to earn a win was Dylan Bundy, on Aug. 29, when he threw a shutout against the Mariners. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/orioles-vs-yankees/2017/09/14/492285#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492285

As for New York's last game, they beat Tampa Bay to win the series at Citi Field in Queens New York due to Hurricane Irma. 

A couple things can make a difference when it comes to September when the  hunt for postseason begins, Your offense, starting pitching and the bullpen. The bullpen for New York on Wednesday was on point as they defeated Tampa Bay. 

With the effects of Hurricane Irma relocating this series to Citi Field, the Yankees had a prime opportunity to capitalize on playing road games in their home city. They did just that, concluding their "visit" with a 3-2 victory over the Rays on Wednesday, taking two of three in the series. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/ 

A three-run second inning, highlighted by Brett Gardner's two-run single, and another strong showing from one of baseball's best bullpens paved the way for the win. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

"I think that's just what we try to do every day," said Chad Green, who picked up the win by retiring all four batters he faced, striking out three. "We can come in at any time. I think we're capable of doing multiple things out there. I think we all have the same goal." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

The Yankees now trail Boston, which lost Wednesday night, by three games in the American League East race. New York holds a three-game lead over the Twins for the top AL Wild Card spot. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

After pulling Monday's starter, CC Sabathia, after 4 1/3 innings, Yankees manager Joe Girardi issued another quick hook on Wednesday, this time to Jaime Garcia. The left-hander exited with two outs in the fifth after having thrown just 78 pitches and did not say a word to Girardi as he left the field. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

"I don't think I'm ever pleased when a manager takes me out. My goal is to go eight or nine," Garcia said. "I want to go as deep as I can in the game, but that's not my position. My position is to execute pitches and make pitches until they take me out of the game. Today he took me out, and it worked out for the team. Big win for us." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

Girardi understood why Garcia might be upset about being lifted one out away from qualifying for what would have been his first Yankees victory. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

"There's a time for that, but I don't think September when you're four games out, is the time for that," Girardi said. "I think that early in the season, I probably would have left him in. June, I probably would have. July, I probably would have left him in. But you start to get to this point in the season, and you have to make some personal sacrifices." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

From there, a combined effort from Green, Tommy Kahnle, Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman -- who came on for the final four outs to record his 18th save, and the 200th of his career -- held the Rays scoreless until Adeiny Hechavarria's RBI single off Chapman made it a one-run game in the eighth. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

"Like I've mentioned many times before, in baseball sometimes we go through a rough patch," Chapman said through an interpreter. "That's what happened. Today I did feel better about my command." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

The first Tampa Bay run came via Kevin Kiermaier's solo shot to lead off the third, his second home run in two games. Rays starter Chris Archer threw 92 pitches in four-plus innings, walking three and firing two wild pitches. Tampa Bay's bullpen threw five scoreless innings, extending its scoreless streak to 20 1/3 innings. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

"It's a tough loss because we had opportunities," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Credit their bullpen for limiting us, making some really big pitches when the game was on the line. And I give a lot of credit to our pitchers for keeping it right there." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

The Yankees opened the second inning with three straight singles from Starlin Castro -- who broke a 0-for-14 slump in the process -- Jacoby Ellsbury and Todd Frazier, with Frazier's knock plating Castro. After Clint Frazier struck out and Austin Romine walked, the lineup flipped over for Gardner, who shot a 1-0 changeup through the left side to drive in Ellsbury and Frazier to give the Yankees an early 3-0 lead. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

"I have three really good weapons, and I try to keep a steady mix of all three," Archer said. "In that second inning, I didn't execute. Threw a changeup -- base hit. Breaking ball -- base hit. Breaking ball -- base hit. Regardless of how hard they hit the ball, they're finding holes, and with the stuff I have, that shouldn't happen." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

 Girardi called upon Chapman for a four-out save in the eighth, and Chapman walked the first batter he faced, Steven Souza Jr., then Hechavarria -- who was 5-for-9 with a walk in the series to that point -- stepped to the plate. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild visited the mound to consult with Chapman. Six pitches later, Hechavarria lined a single up the middle on a 102.9-mph fastball to score Evan Longoria from second and bring the Rays within a run. But Chapman rebounded, striking out pinch-hitter Wilson Ramos to end the inning. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

"He got behind the ball, and he was really getting after it," Romine said. "He looked pretty good, threw some good sliders in there and kept him honest. It's very important. He's at the back end of our bullpen, he's closing out games for us, and we've got full confidence in him. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

I have to execute better, period. I don't know what else to say. There's no excuse. I'm not doing what I get paid to do. It's tough, because it's been a while since I've had a 10-day span where it's been inconsistent, but it's part of it, and I think it's going to help me grow. Honestly, I think it's going to help me grow, and I'm just going to be more conscious and aware of what I need to do for my next start. But it's not the time for that. We don't have time for people to figure things out. We have to get it done. And I didn't get it done." -- Archer, on his recent struggles in the thick of the Wild Card race "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

Lucas Duda's single in the fifth inning snapped a franchise record and career-long streak of 13 consecutive hits going for extra bases. The last AL player with 13 or more consecutive hits for extra bases was the Angels' Brad Fullmer, who had 15 in 2002. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/

When Peter Bourjos scorched a grounder 107.4 mph, per Statcast™, right at Todd Frazier at third base in the fourth inning, the Yankees were in prime position to turn an inning-ending double play. Frazier did not initially field the ball cleanly, meaning his only play was to first. With Bourjos hustling down the line, first-base umpire John Tumpane originally determined that he beat the throw. However, a 54-second review overturned the call, and Bourjos was out. "according to tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254034026/yankees-win-finale-take-series-from-rays/ 

With the win, New York improves to 79-66 and is now 3.0 games back of Boston who is leading the American League East with a record 82-63 who lost to Oakland Wednesday by a score of 7-3. Meanwhile Tampa Bay drops to 72-75 on the season. 

As for Baltimore's last game, they edged Toronto. 

The Orioles halted their losing streak at six games and avoided the sweep in Toronto on Wednesday night with a well-pitched 2-1 win over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. "according to http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/254109918/orioles-kevin-gausman-leads-vs-blue-jays/

With the win, Baltimore remained 4 1/2 games of the Twins in the American League wild card race after Minnesota's victory over San Diego, and still need to leap over the Mariners, Royals, Rangers, and Angels after its recent skid. "according to http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/254109918/orioles-kevin-gausman-leads-vs-blue-jays/

"It's that time of year," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "Look all over baseball. You hear me talk a lot about snowballing, and it takes sometimes one game to get a little direction. We've been pitching well on this trip." "according to http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/254109918/orioles-kevin-gausman-leads-vs-blue-jays/

Kevin Gausman held Toronto to one run over his seven innings of work and the right-hander's line could have been even better given the amount of weak contact he forced. Gausman allowed six hits and a walk while striking out six to continue his dominance against the Blue Jays in 2017. "according to http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/254109918/orioles-kevin-gausman-leads-vs-blue-jays/

"He didn't have a feel for his offspeed pitch early," Showalter said. "He didn't. They were talking about it in the dugout, then he got a feel for it about the fourth inning and really made it part of the repertoire. So he pitched with fastball command, and that's been the difference in him the past couple months where he's really turned his year around." "according to http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/254109918/orioles-kevin-gausman-leads-vs-blue-jays/

Marcus Stroman dropped his ERA to 3.08 with six strong innings of his own allowing just two runs which were both unearned in the top of the first. The right-hander quickly settled the game down and held Baltimore to six hits while striking out seven. "according to http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/254109918/orioles-kevin-gausman-leads-vs-blue-jays/

n the top of the sixth, trainer George Poulis and manager John Gibbons came to the mound as Stroman was dealing with an apparent injury, but the righty pushed through the rest of the inning before exiting after 92 pitches. "according to http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/254109918/orioles-kevin-gausman-leads-vs-blue-jays/

"He grimaced on a pitch and we wanted to make sure there was nothing to it," Gibbons said. "He was fine but you always get concerned when you see that. Forearm was a little tight but he was good. Good stuff today. Really all pitchers on both sides were really good tonight. Low-scoring game." "according to http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/254109918/orioles-kevin-gausman-leads-vs-blue-jays/

 Josh Donaldson made a throwing error on the first pitch of the game that allowed Tim Beckham to reach base, and that proved costly as the Orioles drove in their first two runs with two out. Adam Jones doubled home Beckham on a ball to left field that Teoscar Hernandez took a poor route on, then Trey Mancini brought Jones home with a loud triple that carried over the head of Kevin Pillar in center and bounced off the wall. "according to http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/254109918/orioles-kevin-gausman-leads-vs-blue-jays/

"Josh, you usually don't see throws like that," Gibbons said. "The first play of the game and then the one that squirted by him. That's rare but it happens." "according to http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/254109918/orioles-kevin-gausman-leads-vs-blue-jays/

Stroman escaped a huge jam in the top of the fourth after loading the bases with nobody out. Following a Mancini double and walks to  Mark Trumbo and Chris Davis, pitching coach Pete Walker paid Stroman a visit, and the right-hander settled down and went to work. Seth Smith struck out swinging for the first out, then Stroman used his two-seamer to force Caleb Joesph to ground into an inning-ending double play. "according to http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/254109918/orioles-kevin-gausman-leads-vs-blue-jays/

"Stroman was pitching today, so I knew runs were going to be at a premium. It was going to be a low-scoring ballgame. We got those two runs and I just kind of told myself, 'Hey, those are your runs. That's all you're going to get today.'" -- Gausman "according to http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/254109918/orioles-kevin-gausman-leads-vs-blue-jays/

A hundred percent. I don't think what [former Blue Jays starter Mark] Buehrle did [throwing 200 innings for 14 seasons in a row] will ever be done again. But 100 percent. Being able to go out there every fifth day and go deep in games, there's so many positive effects that come from that -- giving the bullpen rest. You don't realize how much that does over the course of a season. So that's definitely something I'll continue to pride myself on." -- Stroman, on being influenced by Buehrle on making 200 innings a goal every season "according to http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/254109918/orioles-kevin-gausman-leads-vs-blue-jays/

Stroman leads the Major Leagues with 31 ground-ball double plays this season. That's also tied for second most in one year by a Toronto pitcher. Dave Stieb had 35 in 1980. "according to http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/254109918/orioles-kevin-gausman-leads-vs-blue-jays/

Left-hander Wade Miley will start the opener for Baltimore. He has a record of 8-12 with a 4.96 earn run average. Miley is coming off a loss to Cleveland in which he allowed four runs on six hits over 5/2/3 innings. Walks have continued to be a problem for the left-hander, as he owns a career-high rate 5.1  walks per nine innings. He will face New York right-hander Masahiro Tanaka who has a record of 11-11 with a 4.82 earn run average. Tanaka will attempt to bounce back after he was hammered for seven runs in four plus innings by the Rangers last time out. He last faced the O's on May 31st surrendering seven runs in 5 2/3 innings in a losing effort. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/orioles-vs-yankees/2017/09/14/492285#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492285

Baltimore left-hander Wade Miley surrenders 5.1 walks per inning, New York rookie right -fielder Aaron Judge has walked 107 times this season, "according to tohttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2732500-aaron-judge-sets-mlb-rookie-record-for-most-walks-in-a-season How many times will he walk in the opener against Baltimore? Will right -hander Masahiro Tanaka get back on track in the opener? Will the New York offense be able to back up his start? Will the bullpen be as stellar in the opener against Baltimore as it was in the finale against Tampa Bay on Thursday? Will Baltimore be able to get their offense going against Masahiro Tanaka? 

First pitch is set for 7:05 pm. The game will be televised on MASN and Major League Baseball Network. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/orioles-vs-yankees/2017/09/14/492285#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492285