Free MLB Picks Today: New York Yankees vs Baltimore Orioles 5/24/23

The New York Yankees (30-20) host the Baltimore Orioles (31-17) at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday. The Yankees took Tuesday’s series opener 6-5 in 10 innings, their fifth straight victory overall and third in four games against the Orioles this season.

Reliever Michael King threw two scoreless innings to get the win. Anthony Rizzo went 3 for 5 with a double, one run, and one RBI in the win. Gunnar Henderson was 2 for 4 with a solo home run for the Orioles.

ON THE MOUND

Tyler Wells (3-1, 2.94 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Baltimore. The righty allowed three runs over five innings in his last start, a 6-5 road defeat against the Angels on Thursday.

He yielded six hits while striking out seven and walking one in the no-decision. Wells has made one previous start against the Yankees this season, a 5-3 home loss on April 9. He surrendered four runs on six hits over six innings, striking out six.

LHP Nestor Cortes (4-2, 5.21 ERA) gets the ball for New York. He has made one prior start against the Orioles this season, giving up two runs over 5.1 innings in a 5-3 road win on April 9.

He gave up four hits and walked two, while striking out five in the win.In his last start on Thursday, Cortes got the win on the road against the Blue Jays. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out six and walking one in the 4-2 victory.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Baltimore has averaged 6.0 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 5.1. Against left-handed pitchers like Cortes this season, the O’s have a .792 OPS.

Ryan Mountcastle is the team’s best hitter against left-handers with a 1.071 OPS in 60 at-bats. New York is averaging 5.4 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.6 for the season.

The Yanks have a .728 OPS against righties in 2023. With a 1.157 OPS over 113 at-bats, Aaron Judge has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Baltimore is 16-9 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.8 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. New York has gone 17-10 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. In the last 10 games at Yankee Stadium between the AL East rivals, New York is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 5.6-3.7.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Orioles are second in the AL East, three games behind the division-leading Rays. The Yankees are third in the AL East, five games behind the Rays.