New York Yankees: Orioles Series Preview/Predictions

Game One

New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles

Gerrit Cole vs. Asher Wojciechowski

Wednesday, July 29th, 7:35 pm

Wednesday night was supposed to be James Paxton’s second start of the season against the Phillies, but now it will be Gerrit Cole‘s second of the season as the Yankees face-off against the Baltimore Orioles.

Gerrit Cole was solid in his shortened first start of his Yankees career. Although the game was shortened due to weather, Cole still went 5.5 innings strong, threw five strikeouts and allowed only one hit, one earned run, and one walk.

In only five innings, Cole showed the Yankees why they signed him for nine years and $324 million. In game two he won’t be challenged much as he will face off against the Baltimore Orioles, a team believed to finish the season as one of the worst in the MLB.

As for the Orioles, they’ll be throwing  Asher Wojciechowski out on the mound. In 2019 Wojciechowski made 16 starts, went 4-8, and held an ERA of 4.92 while lasting an average of fewer than five innings per appearance.

This being said, the Yankees shouldn’t struggle too much against Wojciechowski who is making his first start of the 2020 season on Wednesday evening against the Yankees.

Prediction: Yankees win 7-1

I see the Yankees absolutely destroying Wojciechowski on Wednesday and taking him out of the game by the fourth inning, forcing the Orioles to use a large chunk of their bullpen. Overall the Yankees rack up a plethora of runs and win in a breeze.

As for the Yankees, I see Gerrit Cole lasting about seven innings. After his first start of the season last Thursday, and only throwing 75 pitches, Cole has had plenty of rest and will be able to go as long as the Yankees need him to go.

With this, I don’t see Cole struggling too much, letting up less than four hits and allowing no earned runs.