The New York Yankees are preparing for a critical showdown today that will determine their fate in the AL East standings. Heading into Game 162, the Yankees are in a must-win situation against the Baltimore Orioles. To claim the top spot in the division, they not only need a victory but also require the Tampa Bay Rays to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays. Failing this, the Yankees will find themselves in the Wild Card Series starting Tuesday.
Luis Gil takes the mound for the Yankees, stepping into a position that may shift in the playoff rotation after Cam Schlittler’s impressive rookie season finale. Gil’s performance following an injury comeback shows areas of concern, with decreased fastball velocity, increased walk rates, and a decline in strikeout percentages. His reliance on airborne contact also stands out, marked by a low groundball rate of around 30 percent.
Baltimore’s Kyle Bradish, on the other hand, presents a formidable challenge for the Yankees. Despite recovering from Tommy John surgery, Bradish—who came fourth in the 2023 AL Cy Young Award voting—has maintained a strong form with a 2.25 ERA over 28 innings. His effective sinker-slider combination belies his higher-than-expected strikeout rates, setting the stage for a competitive matchup.
Adding to the complexity of the game, Yankees’ power hitter Jazz Chisholm Jr. will remain on the bench following a precautionary decision due to recent scans. José Caballero will fill in at second base, ready to support the team’s efforts.
As all teams play simultaneously today, Yankees fans need to keep an eye on both games, hoping for a favorable outcome in Toronto while cheering on their team in the Bronx. Today’s game begins at 3:05 p.m. EDT at Yankee Stadium, and fans can catch the action on various broadcasting platforms or through online streaming.
This nail-biting scenario emphasizes the unpredictable nature of baseball, where every regular-season game holds vital significance in the pursuit of postseason success.