Baltimore On The Road To Division Title, Yankees In Their Way

It was nearly a half-century ago when the Baltimore Orioles last won a division title, however they are well on their way to doing so in 2014.

The Orioles swept the Boston Red Sox and now prepare to enter a series with the New York Yankees. It will be appropriate for the Orioles to further secure their division title win with series victories over the two teams that have taken turns leading the division over the last few years.

The Orioles could have the division clinched by Monday.

Baltimore will be at home for 10 games that includes a four-game series that opens with a doubleheader against the Yankees today.

Baltimore will be starting Kevin Gausman in the first game of the doubleheader.

Gausman is 7-7 with a 3.83 ERA on the season. In his last start he had a strong showing giving up two run on five hits against the Tampa Bay Rays. He struck out seven and walked four in that game. It was the second consecutive time that Gausman has lasted into the seventh inning.

The Yankees will be sending Brandon McCarthy to the mound.

McCarthy is 6-4 with a 2.79 ERA. He stumbled at the beginning of his last start on Saturday, but came back to put together a winning game. He allowed two runs on six hits versus the Kansas City Royals and picked up the win for his team.

The Yankees are struggling to put together a winning batting lineup as they attempt to cope with injuries.

Even if the O’s sweep the Yankees in this series they will not officially clinch the division. They will all but eliminate the Yankees from contention with a clean sweep.

The point spread favors Baltimore to win the first game of this doubleheader with a –133 moneyline. The Yanks moneyline is set at +113. The betting lines for the second game have yet to be released.