Yankees @ Orioles

Who will WIN this matchup?

New York Yankees (2-1)

@ Baltimore Orioles (2-1)

Starting Pitchers:

Happ (NYY): 0-0; 0.00 ERA

Means (BAL) 0-0; 0.00 ERA

Current odds:

New York Yankees: (-240)

Baltimore Orioles: (+210)

• The New York Yankees flexed their muscles in the face of the Baltimore Orioles during the final 16 meetings of the 2019 season, and they wasted little time in emasculating their American League East rivals in the series opener. The Yankees look for more of the same on Thursday when they conclude their two-game set in Baltimore. DJ LeMahieu belted a leadoff homer on Wednesday to highlight his 15th career four-hit performance, and Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks also went deep for the first time this season as New York recorded its 17th straight victory over Baltimore with a 9-3 win. The Yankees have launched at least three homers in 10 of their last 11 games at Camden Yards and 46 overall in that stretch.

• Dwight Smith Jr. belted a two-run homer for the Orioles, who lacked considerable punch in their lineup without Chris Davis. Manager Brandon Hyde said Davis was “unavailable” for Wednesday’s game, one day after the veteran slugger expressed concerns about playing during the coronavirus pandemic.

• Happ won two of three decisions versus Baltimore last season, although the seven homers allowed and a bloated 6.85 ERA in five starts (22 1/3 innings) leave plenty to be desired. Despite those gaudy numbers, the 37-year-old Happ still sports a 9-7 record with a 3.60 ERA in 25 career appearances (24 starts) versus the Orioles. Renato Nunez (11-for-19, four homers, eight RBIs) and Hanser Alberto (6-for-13) have taken Happ to task in their careers, however.

• Shoulder fatigue prevented Means from making the start in Baltimore’s opening series against Boston last week and earned him a trip on the injured list instead. The 27-year-old finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2019 despite pitching for an Orioles club that finished 49 games behind the division-champion Yankees. Means posted a 1-2 record with a 7.62 ERA in five appearances (two starts) versus New York last season, with LeMahieu going deep and Judge driving in four runs.

• New York’s 16-game road winning streak in Baltimore is two shy of the major league record, set by Boston vs. the Yankees from October 1911-June 1931.

• The Orioles did not allow a walk in their two wins this season and issued 13 free passes in their two losses.

• New York SS Gleyber Torres went 0-for-4 in the opener after batting .394 (26-for-66) with 13 homers and 20 RBIs against Baltimore last season.