New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles Series Preview

The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles played 18 games this season and split them 9-9. The two teams will be going at it in the ALDS. This is the first time that divisional opponents can meet in the first round. This is going to be a look at the series and what I think could happen and some keys as well as matchups. 
I think the Yankees will win this series because they are a better team but anything could happen in the postseason. I do think that starting on the road is kind of unfortunate for the better team but if the Yankees can go out and win game one on Sunday night the pressure will be on the Orioles to win game two and get back to New York tied. I think the Yankees play well on the road and especially in Baltimore. The Yankees will send CC Sabathia their ace to the mound followed by Andy Pettitte. Hiroki Kuroda will start Game three which will be the first home game. Kuroda is much better at home and this was the right choice.

I think the Yankees have the edge on offense and starting pitching. The Orioles probably have the edge in the bullpen. The Yankees have three good starters and a fourth who won 16 games. The Orioles pitching has been pretty good this season but they aren’t household names. Jason Hammel who hasn’t started since the beginning of September is their game one starter, I think that says a lot.

Mark Reynolds has been very good at first since moving there but you still have to say Mark Teixeira is the better first baseman. I think the extra three days off really helps him, if he can come back strong now that is a big boost for the Yankees. The Yankees clearly have the edge at second and short. The third base comparison is interesting as Alex Rodriguez is clearly on the downside of his career. Manny Machado is a raw rookie who has promise but also has shown that he can struggle also. He strikes out a lot and is a guy that you can get out. I think the experience would favor Arod for now but in the long run you want Machado. In the outfield I would give the Orioles the advantage in center with Adam Jones over Curtis Granderson. In right field it would have been close with Nick Markakis and Nick Swisher but Markakis is hurt and the edge goes to the Yankees. In left field it may be a toss up right now.

I would have to predict that the Yankees will win the series in four games.