Sonny Gray Gets The Start As New York Takes On Baltimore

Mother nature had its way Thursday night so the series that was four games is  now a three game series that  will begin Friday. 

While New York is at the top of the division behind their rival Boston Baltimore meanwhile who is also a member of the American League East is last in the division. 

New York comes into the opener of this three  -game series against Baltimore with a record of 35-17 while Baltimore meanwhile comes into the opener against New York with a record of 17-39 "according to   https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-orioles/2018/05/31/530249?#game_state=preview,lock_state=preview,game_tab=,game=530249

Sonny Gray will get the start for New York. The right -hander comes into the game with a record of 3-4 with a 5.98 earn run average. Gray's performance to the Yankees has been a mystery, who believed they had turned the corner after eight solid innings at  Kansas City on May 20th. Six days later, Gray allowed the Angels five runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. He will oppose Baltimore right -hander Andrew Cashner who comes into the game against New York with a record of 2-6 to go along with a 5.07 earn run average. Cashner has had just one quality start in his past outings. The righty struggled with his command in Saturday's loss to the Rays, allowing eleven hits and five earned runs over five innings. He'll look to rebound against the Yankees. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-orioles/2018/05/31/530249?#game_state=preview,lock_state=preview,game_tab=,game=530249

As for New York's previous game, they won the series as they edged the defending world series champion Houston. 

Yankees starter Luis Severino retired the first 11 batters he faced before allowing a single to Jose Altuve in the series finale against the Astros on Wednesday night, and the right-hander's dominance did not end there. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

Severino went seven sparkling innings, allowing two runs on four hits while tying a season high with 11 strikeouts, to lead the Yankees to a 5-3 victory and a series win. The Yanks finished the regular-season series 5-2 against the Astros, who defeated them in seven games in last year's American League Championship Series."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

The Yankees' ace turned in his ninth straight quality start and 10th of the year in picking up his AL-leading eighth win of the season."according tohttps://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456 

He's a guy that goes out there day in and day out and proves to the league that he's not going to be an easy at-bat," center fielder Aaron Hicks said. "That's what aces do." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

Severino retired eight of his 11 strikeout victims on his slider. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

"I was feeling today in the bullpen [that the slider] was great," Severino said. "When I got on the mound, I was throwing it where I wanted to throw it for strikes or for balls. It was in good shape." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

"First of all, the fastball sets it up, obviously," manager Aaron Boone said. "It's an elite, mid-upper-90s fastball that he commands and then just works that slider off of it. And the thing just seems to go forward for so long and just has that late dive. That's why he's an ace in this sport. When he's commanding it like that, he's really tough." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

Severino's only mistake of the night came on a 98.5-mph fastball at the top of the zone that Max Stassi launched 423 feet to center field, as projected by Statcast™, for a two-run homer in the fifth inning. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

"He can land his slider pretty much whenever he wants," Stassi said. "He can throw it for strikes, he can expand on you. He'll expand early, he'll throw the slider later for a strike. He has a good mix. He throws that changeup, too, and that's another wrench in there. He's just a very good pitcher, and he didn't have too many mistakes tonight." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

The Yankees have now won 11 of Severino's 12 starts, which is the most team wins in a pitcher's starts in the Majors. Since giving up five runs in five innings against the Red Sox on April 10, Severino is 6-0 and has logged a 1.95 ERA. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

"I thought that was as good as he was almost with his shutout against Houston [on May 2]. He's been good since then, but I thought today he was really sharp, really crisp," Boone said. "Overall, I thought he was really good. Mixed in some changeups along with the fastball-slider combination that I felt like he had pretty dialed in from the get-go." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

Giancarlo Stanton got the Yankees on the board in the first inning against starter Dallas Keuchel, settling for a sacrifice fly to center field when he was robbed of a base hit on a diving catch by Jake Marisnick. In the fifth, Gary Sanchez snapped an 0-for-19 streak with a go-ahead two-run single to right field."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

"Anytime you get a hit, you're going to feel good," Sanchez said. "The important thing there is that I got that hit, and I was able to put the team ahead. That's the most important thing there, getting a hit, contributing, helping the team." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

Didi Gregorius then knocked in a run in the sixth on a single to right, after Gleyber Torres led off with a double, to chase Keuchel before Hicks snapped an 0-for-16 streak with an RBI double to left off reliever Collin McHugh. Keuchel was charged with four runs on seven hits, while walking three and striking out seven. He lost to the Yankees for the second time this month. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

Aroldis Chapman was called on in the ninth inning to close out the game. After allowing a run on a double to left by Stassi, the closer recorded his 12th save of the season by striking out George Springer to end the game. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
With runners on first and second in the seventh, Stassi hit a slow chopper to third. As Miguel Andujar charged the ball, he collided with Yuli Gurriel, who knocked the third baseman to the ground. The Yankees' training staff came out to check on Andujar, who said he was hit on the side of his head, but he was OK to stay in the game. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

Gregorius was also there to check on his teammate. As the two separated to go back to their respective positions, Andujar had a smile on his face. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

"He was just having a little fun with me there," Andujar said. "He was asking if I was OK, then proceeded to ask me a funny question. That's why I was laughing. He was asking me, "What's one plus one?' "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

HE SAID IT
"It helps out we see each other just in May, and hopefully we'll see each other in October." -- Keuchel "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-pitches-gem-against-astros/c-279018456

Unlike New York who won their previous game, Baltimore however got shutout Washington on Wednesday at Camden Yards.

There have been late-game meltdowns and uninspiring offensive performances. Struggles with big-name sluggers and injury issues. But rookie right-hander David Hess has given Baltimore a bright spot in a frustrating start to the season. "according to https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nationals/c-279056366

Hess, who bested the Rays twice in his first three starts this season, clashed with Nationals ace Max Scherzer on Wednesday night at Camden Yards. And the young righty impressively held his own. "according to https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nation

Hess held the National League East-leading Nationals to one run -- Bryce Harper's homer -- over six frames in a quality start that capped a stellar breakout month. That it came as part of a 2-0 series-sweeping loss -- that included eight dominant Scherzer innings -- shouldn't dampen the enthusiasm surrounding Hess. "according to https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nationals/c-279056366

"David Hess threw the ball outstanding tonight for a guy that's only been here a few days and to have only made a couple of starts," Orioles first baseman Chris Davis said. ''To go out there and go toe to toe with one of the best in the business says a lot about him and a little bit about the future of this club." "according https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nationals/c-279056366

The month of May has belonged to the 24-year-old, who impressively pitched on three days' rest to win his Major League debut on May 12 vs. the Rays as part of a doubleheader. Hess succumbed to the long ball at Fenway Park in his next start but showed his ability to adapt on Friday against the Rays, tossing 6 2/3 scoreless to earn a celebratory shaving cream pie. Yes, there hasn't been much to cheer about at Camden Yards this season. But Hess -- who held the Nats to four hits -- deserves some appreciation as the homegrown arm has shown equal parts moxie and poise in his first few weeks. "according to https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nationals/c-279056366

"I think that the confidence is definitely growing. I think that with every start, I get a little bit smarter about what I need to do to have success and how to go about my business on an everyday basis," Hess said. "There's definitely progression with that and I'm excited that progression is coming to where it is right now." "according to https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nationals/c-279056366

Baltimore looked poised to potentially take Hess off the hook for the loss, putting a pair of runners on against closer Sean Doolittle in the ninth. But Craig Gentry -- who had a leadoff single -- was caught trying to steal third base with Manny Machado at the plate. And Doolittle rode the momentum of that easy out to pick up his 13th save. "according to https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nationals/c-279056366

"Obviously, there's a lot more to the game than that, but I understand," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of the spotlight being on the Gentry baserunning blunder. "We didn't do much offensively for eight innings, either." "according to https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nationals/c-279056366

Following Harper's third-inning homer -- the slugger's 18th on the year -- Hess gave up a double to Anthony Rendon. But he stopped any further scoring, retiring Matt Adams on a popup. "according to https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nationals/c-279056366

The Orioles never got close to mounting anything off of Scherzer, as a slumping lineup mustered up just three baserunners and was no match for the reigning two-time NL Cy Young Award winner. Scherzer recorded 12 strikeouts and held the Orioles to two hits on the night, only once allowing a runner to touch second base."according to https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nationals/c-279056366

Davis' single marked the O's only hit for the first six innings until Manny Machado's one-out double in the seventh. Baltimore has now scored three or fewer runs in 13 of its past 15 games."according to https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nation

Reliever Miguel Castro allowed an RBI single to Juan Soto -- who had three hits on Tuesday -- for a seventh-inning insurance run. "according to https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nationals/c-279056366

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Ninth-inning rally comes up short: Gentry's leadoff ninth-inning single and Adam Jones' blooper into right field that Wilmer Difo couldn't grab set the table for Machado, who stepped to the plate with runners on first and second with none out. But Doolittle caught a big break when Gentry got caught trying to steal third for the first out. Machado then flied out and Doolittle got Jonathan Schoop to pop up to end the game. "according to https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nationals/c-279056366

"We haven't done a whole lot offensively, I'm not going to throw Craig under the bus," Showalter said of Gentry's decision. "It didn't work out. Nobody tries to do more to help this team than Craig Gentry every day. "according to https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nationals/c-279056366

"That's one that doesn't look good because of the results and the chance we had there. But we still had two more outs after that." "according to https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nationals/c-279056366

BRITTON REHABS
Orioles closer Zach Britton threw a scoreless inning in his first rehab outing, striking out the side for Class A Advanced Frederick. "according to https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nationals/c-279056366

HE SAID IT
"We obviously know that we're nowhere [near] where we want to be, and not even close. That's when you find out who the real players are in here, and that's when you find out really the guts of a team. I know there's been some talk about a rebuild and all that stuff. We've got to live in the here and now." -- Davis "according to https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/david-hess-strong-in-orioles-loss-to-nationals/c-279056366

First pitch is set for 7:05pm from Camden Yards. The game will be televised on Yes and MASN. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-orioles/2018/05/31/530249?#game_state=preview,lock_state=preview,game_tab=,game=530249