O's game blog: The Orioles-Yankees series begins in the Bronx

From April 29 to May 2, the Orioles took three of four from the Yankees in Baltimore, allowing two runs or less in each of the four games, six runs total. New York batters hit just .177 with a .556 OPS and had seven extra-base hits in that series.

The Orioles were 20-11 when that series ended, leading the Yankees by one game atop the American League East.

But since May 3, the Yankees have gone 30-11, which is the best record in the majors in that time and opened a 1 1/2-game lead on the Orioles, who gained two games on Saturday and Sunday.

But even in playing so well, they have not been able to shake the Orioles, who have gone 27-13 over that same span to tie for the second best record in the major leagues in that stretch.

Tonight the clubs open a three-game series at Yankee Stadium with New York at 50-24 and Baltimore at 47-24.

The Orioles lead the majors in homers (114) and runs per game (5.13), while the Yankees are second in homers (110) and runs per game (5.05).

The Yankees lead the majors in team ERA (3.02) and rotation ERA (2.90), while the Orioles are second in team ERA (3.07) and third in rotation ERA (2.99).

The Orioles are 5-0-2 in AL East series this year, going 17-6 in the division. Baltimore has gone 21 straight AL East series without losing one since they lost one to New York on April 7-9, 2023 at Oriole Park. 

The 21-series streak is tied for the most in major league history against a team's own division without losing one.

The 1998-2000 Braves went 21 in a row against the National League East while the Cincinatti Reds did this twice versus the NL West over the 1975 season and over the 1969-1970 seasons. 

The Orioles went 7-6 against the Yankees last year and are 3-1 this year. Since losing that first series of the 2023 season between these teams, the O's are 3-0-1 in their past four series against the Yankees, going 9-5 in those 14 games.

Since July 5, 2023, the Orioles are 7-2 against the Yankees. 

During the 21-series AL East streak, the Orioles have gone 47-22 (.681). Since the beginning of the 2023 season, they are 49-26 (.653) in AL East games.

While New York lost the last two games of its series with Boston over the weekend, by 8-4 and 9-3 scores, the Yankees have still won 13 of their past 18 games. The Yankees are 22-10 at home (the O's are 22-10 on the road) and their +124 run differential leads the majors. The O's +114 ranks second in the majors.

The O's road win percentage of .688 ranks first in the majors. Since the start of 2023, they are 74-39 (.655) on the road, the best road winning percentage and most road wins in the bigs.

While the Yankees allowed nine stolen bases to the Red Sox in the Sunday loss, on the year their catchers throw out 24.6 percent of would-be basestealers, which is actually fifth-best in the AL. The Orioles are seventh-bestat 23.2 percent in caught stealing percentage by their catchers. The nine stolen bases were the most allowed by the Yankees in a game since May 19, 1915, when the Tigers also stole nine bases. 

On the mound tonight, O's right-hander Albert Suárez (3-0, 1.61 ERA) will make his 15th appearance and eighth as a starter. Suárez's last four games have come as a starter, going 1-0 with a 1.40 ERA since May 25. In his seven starts only, he is 2-0 with a 1.82 ERA. Suárez has never faced the Yankees.

Lefty Nestor Cortes (3-5, 3.59 ERA) will make his 16th start. While the Yankees have a losing record at 6-9 in those games, Cortes is 2-1 with a 2.91 ERA over his past six games. In seven home starts, he is 3-2 with a 1.77 ERA. Cortes gave up four runs over six innings versus the Orioles on April 30. In 10 career games, he is 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA agaisnt the Orioles.