Opposite dugout: Yankees surging since last meeting with Orioles

Manager: Joe Girardi (10th season)

Record: 29-18

Last 10 games: 5-5

Who to watch: RF Aaron Judge (.321 with 16 HR, 34 RBIs); 2B Starlin Castro (.325 with 10 2B, 62 hits); SS Didi Gregorius (.311 with 18 RBIs); RHP Luis Severino (3-2, 3.11 ERA); RHP Dellin Betances (3-1, 0.52 ERA).

Season series vs. Orioles: 3-3

Pitching probables:

Monday, May 29: LHP Jordan Montgomery vs. RHP Dylan Bundy, 1:05 p.m., MASN
Tuesday, May 30: RHP Luis Severino vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 7:05 p.m., MASN
Wednesday, May 31: RHP Masahiro Tanaka vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 7:05 p.m., MASN

Inside the Yankees:

During his Facebook Live chat in the MASN web studio last week, Orioles center fielder Adam Jones fielded a question regarding the team's biggest rival. Jones immediately said the Blue Jays, mostly due to the fact both teams have enjoyed a resurgence over the past few years. He then added the Red Sox, thanks in part to the early-season drama that's unfolded over the season's first few months. Oddly enough, the Yankees weren't brought up. Whether or not players or even fans consider the Yankees among the Orioles' biggest rivals is a matter of opinion, but one thing's for sure - right now, the Yankees are the team to beat in the American League East.

Offensively, the Yankees boast a balanced attack. They can hit and hit for power, ranking third in the American League with 70 home runs and a .263 team average. Right fielder Aaron Judge burst onto the scene in August 2016 and has emerged as the Yankees' top hitter. Due to his limited playing time a year ago, Judge is eligible for Rookie of the Year in the American League this season. And if voting ended today, Judge's team-leading 16 home runs, 34 RBIs and .422 on-base percentage paint a resume that's tough to beat. Despite the hot numbers, Judge doesn't lead the everyday hitters in batting average. That title belongs to second baseman Starlin Castro, who is hitting a cool .325 and whose 62 hits are second most in the AL. There's plenty of pop from the rest of the lineup, too, even without Jacoby Ellsbury, who is working his way through Major League Baseball's concussion protocol. Ellsbury's absence may let the Orioles breathe a sigh of relief, as the center fielder is a career .303 hitter against the Birds.

While Judge is raking at the plate, another Yankees rookie is still trying to figure things out. Through eight starts, left-hander Jordan Montgomery, who starts Monday, is just 2-3 with a 4.30 ERA. He ran into trouble in his only start against the Orioles on April 30, allowing three earned runs over five innings in a no decision. Still, Montgomery enters today's series opener fresh off his best outing, a quality start in which he gave up just one earned run with six strikeouts. Speaking of positive momentum, Luis Severino is certainly hoping the success from his most recent start carries over to Tuesday. Severino blanked the Royals over eight innings on May 24, walking just one batter en route to his third win of the season. In fact, Severino has posted a 2.01 ERA over his last four starts, a far cry from his 4.74 career mark against the Orioles. After losing four games all of last season, Masahiro Tanaka's 5-4 record this year has some fans wondering what's wrong with the 28-year-old right-hander. But as is often the case, a pitcher's win-loss record can be misleading. For instance, Tanaka took the loss Friday against the Athletics, but tossed seven innings of one-run ball while tallying a season-high 13 strikeouts. Still, Tanaka will look to snap his three-game losing streak opposite right-hander Kevin Gausman in Wednesday's series finale.

In addition to having Ellsbury on the mend, the Yankess continue to be without closer Aroldis Chapman. The hard-throwing reliever hasn't pitched since May 12 and is working through a shoulder injury. With Chapman sidelined, right-hander Dellin Betances has slid into the closer's role, while righties Adam Warren, Tyler Clippard and Jonathan Holder eat up the late innings.