The stakes are uneven. The Orioles were eliminated Thursday, so all that's left is the math: win all 3 remaining games and they finish 81-81. New York is 92-67 and waiting on its stars. Aaron Judge (calf) says he intends to be ready for Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, and Giancarlo Stanton is taking live batting practice at Double-A Somerset with an eye on the same week. Neither is in this lineup.
Both clubs are playing decent baseball. Baltimore has won 3 straight, all against Toronto. The runs came in 4-3 and 4-2 games, so it's been more about pitching and defense than a lineup that's been scoring freely. Right before that, the Orioles got shut out twice by Milwaukee. The Yankees have won 2 straight and 3 of their first 4 against Tampa Bay, including a 9-2 win. They've also had flat nights, like a 6-1 loss in the middle of that set, so the Judge-less lineup can hit hot and cold.
- 7-Day ILSamuel Basallo (C) — The Orioles placed Basallo (concussion) on the 7-day injured list Wednesday.09/23
- 10-Day-ILJackson Holliday (2B) — Holliday will undergo left wrist surgery next week.09/23
- 10-Day-ILBlaze Alexander (3B) — The Orioles placed Alexander on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with low-back discomfort.09/09
- 10-Day-ILLuis Robert Jr. (CF) — The Orioles placed Robert on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to left hamstring discomfort.09/06
- 60-Day-ILNewKyle Bradish (SP) — Bradish (abdomen) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday.09/24
- 60-Day-ILTyler O'Neill (RF) — O'Neill was given a PRP injection in his injured right shoulder recently.09/23
- 60-Day-ILRyan Helsley (RP) — President of baseball operations Mike Elias said Saturday that Helsley (elbow) will be shut down for the remainder of the season.09/19
- 60-Day-ILRyan Mountcastle (1B) — Mountcastle (foot/oblique) has resumed a hitting progression.09/08
- 60-Day-ILColin Selby (RP) — Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said Friday that Selby underwent right shoulder surgery Tuesday to repair his labrum and rotator cuff.07/31
- 60-Day-ILKeegan Akin (RP) — Akin (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday.07/15
- 60-Day-ILJordan Westburg (3B) — Westburg (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday.05/15
- 10-Day-ILTrent Grisham (CF) — Grisham (hamstring) took part in live batting practice Wednesday.09/24
- 10-Day-ILAaron Judge (RF) — Judge (calf) said Wednesday that he intends to be ready to play in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series.09/23
- 15-Day-ILNewClarke Schmidt (SP) — Schmidt could be shut down for the season if he's unable to pitch Thursday.09/24
- 15-Day-ILFernando Cruz (RP) — On Jomboy Media's "Talkin' Yanks" podcast that Cruz (elbow) has resumed throwing and is doing "pretty well."09/23
- 15-Day-ILRyan Weathers (SP) — Weathers (forearm) likely won't return in time to pitch again in the regular season.09/19
- 60-Day-ILGiancarlo Stanton (DH) — Stanton (calf) is taking live batting practice at Double-A Somerset with the possibility of being available in some capacity for next week's AL Wild Card Series.09/23
- 60-Day-ILKervin Castro (RP) — The Yankees transferred Castro (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.08/26
The doubleheader matters more than anything else here. The Orioles purchased Albert Suárez's contract from Triple-A Norfolk and brought 10 relievers for the day, because they need to cover 2 games. The Yankees have a starter with 7.2 career MLB innings and the same pair of games to get through. If Beck gets knocked out early, Aaron Boone has to cover the rest from a bullpen he needs rested for October. Conditions look fine: 69 and cloudy, a 6% chance of rain and wind at 16 mph. The weather that moved Saturday's game is due later in the weekend.