O's game blog: Kevin Gausman on the mound for Game 162

With a win, they're in. That is the scenario today for the Orioles (88-74) as the play the New York Yankees (84-77) in Game 162. A victory will put the Orioles into the American League wild card game. If they lose they'll be in if Detroit loses at Atlanta.

At the same time, the chance of a three-way tie for two wild card spots still exists. That would happen if the Orioles and Blue Jays lose today and Detroit wins two games, one today and one makeup game tomorrow. But the Orioles would like to win and keep that from happening. If the Orioles win and Toronto loses, the Orioles will host the wild card game.

The Orioles' starter today is right-hander Kevin Gausman (8-12, 3.66 ERA), who has pitched well against the Yankees both this season and also in his career.

Gausman has made five starts versus New York this year, going 2-1 with a 0.80 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. He has three scoreless starts against the Yankees, including his last two covering 13 innings. In those five games, Gausman has thrown 33 2/3 innings, allowing 25 hits and just three runs with five walks and 32 strikeouts.

Over his last two starts though, against Boston and Toronto, Gausman is 0-2 with a 6.57 ERA, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) and 17 hits, including four homers over 12 1/3 innings. In the five starts before that, Gausman went 4-0 with an ERA of 0.82, making four scoreless starts, including those two against New York.

In 16 career games (10 starts) versus the Yankees, Gausman is 5-3 with a 1.87 ERA. In eight career games (five starts) at Yankee Stadium, he is 2-2 with a 2.36 ERA.

Gausman has made 29 starts this season and the Orioles are 13-16 in those games. But many times he was the victim of a lack of run support as the Orioles lost many of those games.

Right-hander Luis Cessa (4-3, 4.18 ERA) gets the ball today for the Yankees. In his last two starts against Tampa Bay and Boston, he gave up four runs over 12 innings. In five games in September, he is 0-3 with a 4.18 ERA.

Cessa has allowed an ERA of 7.88 and average against of .333 in the opening innings of his starts. But that goes down to 2.25 in the second and 1.13 in the third inning.

Cessa is in his rookie season and has made one start in 2016 against the Orioles. He got the win on Aug. 26. Over six innings he allowed five hits and three runs, allowing two homers (both to Manny Machado) and throwing 99 pitches.

The Orioles begin this game with a 38-42 road record. They are 5-2 in their last seven and 10-5 in their last 15 road games. They are 39-36 versus the AL East and 37-37 in the second half.

Jonathan Schoop is batting .400 (6-for-15) his last four games with a homer and four RBIs. Mark Trumbo is batting .438 (14-for-32) his last eight games with three doubles, four homers and six RBIs. J.J. Hardy is batting .338 his last 21 games.

The winner of today's game will take the season series, which is tied at nine wins each. The Orioles went 6-3 at home and are 3-6 at Yankee Stadium. They are 6-14 in that ballpark since Sept. 25, 2014.