Deadspin | With AL East title hopes fading, Yankees prep for rematch vs. O's

Sep 15, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The New York Yankees can’t afford to miss on chances to move closer to the top in the American League East.

That might make Saturday night’s game against the host Baltimore Orioles even more crucial given the Yankees have just eight contests left on their schedule.

“We’re working to shake hands (after victories) and put ourselves in the best position heading down the stretch,” New York manager Aaron Boone said. “It’s on to the next one. (Saturday) becomes super-important, too.”

The Yankees (86-68) scored 27 runs across three games until they were limited to four hits in Friday night’s 4-2 loss. The setback kept New York three games behind the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays.

New York didn’t mount much in six innings against Baltimore starter Trevor Rogers.

“We didn’t pressure him a lot,” Boone said. “We ran his count up. We made him work.”

The Orioles (73-81) have won four of their last five games. They’re trying to slow down a New York team that has won six of its last nine games.

“That team right there that’s playing, that lineup, they’ve been one of the best teams in baseball here recently,” Baltimore interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “They’ve been playing really good.”

There was a notable offensive accomplishment for the Yankees on Friday with Jazz Chisholm Jr. homering for his 30th long ball of the season. He has those homers to go with reaching 30 stolen bases.

“(Going) 30-30 invokes a lot of things,” Boone said. “And certainly lines up with his skill set. The fact that he’s done that with missing a month of the season, not running (for stolen bases) for parts of the year. Just a peek into what a good player he is.”

The Orioles liked how defense came to the rescue as they were able to even the series. Rookie Dylan Beavers made a couple of notable snags in left field, with Mansolino calling them “game-save plays.”

Beavers has moved around in the outfield, so he’s adjusting on the major league level.

“We’re asking (Beavers) to learn a new position in the big leagues,” Mansolino said. “He did play left field in the minor leagues but played mostly right field. So he’s made some nice plays out there.”

Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon (16-9, 3.11 ERA) will get the start on Saturday as he attempts to break a personal two-game losing streak. His only three-game skid came in his first three starts of April.

By April 29, he picked up his fourth victory of the season by limiting the Orioles to two runs and two hits in six innings. In his career, Rodon is 1-3 with 5.15 ERA in eight appearances against Baltimore.

Right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano (10-8, 4.39) will get the start on Saturday for the Orioles. He hasn’t won since Aug. 14, but part of that comes because of fewer opportunities with Baltimore’s six-man rotation. He held Toronto to one run on four hits for six innings last Saturday in a no-decision.

Sugano, who is in his first season in the majors, is 1-0 in two starts covering 8 2/3 innings versus. the Yankees. He gave up a home run to Aaron Judge during a June matchup.

The Orioles made roster moves, including putting reliever Chayce McDermott on the bereavement/family medical emergency list. They recalled pitcher Jose Espada from Triple-A Norfolk.

–Field Level Media