MLB Picks 6/20 – Baltimore Orioles @ New York Yankees

MLB Picks 6/20 – Baltimore Orioles @ New York Yankees

by Thomas Quaynor for Wannmamakeabet.com

Two of MLB’s elite teams conclude a three-game set this afternoon as the Baltimore Orioles (48-25) visit the New York Yankees (51-25) at Yankee Stadium on MLB Network. The American League East rivals split the first two games with New York winning 4-2 on Tuesday night and Baltimore prevailing 7-6 in 10 innings yesterday. In last night’s game, New York rallied from a 5-1 seventh inning deficit to eventually tie the game at 5 in the ninth inning. Baltimore then scored 2 runs in the top of the tenth inning and were able to hold on for the win. Baltimore is 5-2 against New York this season and has won 8 of 11 head-to-head matchups dating back to July 5 of last season.

Last night was the season debut for 2023 American League Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole with the Yankees. Cole was placed on the 60-day injured list after suffering nerve inflammation in his right elbow during Spring Training. He pitched four innings and allowed two earned on three hits runs while striking out 5 batters.  He did not factor in the decision.

Today’s starters are Cole Irvin (6-3, 3.03 ERA in 11 starts) for Baltimore and rookie sensation Luis Gil (9-1, 2.03 ERA, 96 strikeouts in 14 starts) for New York.

GAME ODDS

Moneyline: Baltimore +118,  New York -138 

Run Line: Baltimore +1.5 (-176),  New York -1.5 (+146)

Run Total: over 8.5 (-105)    under 8.5 (-115)              

GAME STORYLINES: BALTIMORE

A season ago, the youthful Baltimore Orioles shocked the baseball world when they finished 101-61 which was an 18-game improvement over the 2022 season. They won the American League East division for the first time since 2014 and finished with the second-best record in baseball. Baltimore’s turnaround was quite remarkable considering they posted the worst record in MLB at 52-110 in 2021. Baltimore’s terrific season ended with a three-game sweep by the Texas Rangers – who went on to win the World Series – in the divisional round of the playoffs but it shouldn’t take away from the tremendous strides the team made in 2023.

MLB Picks 6/20 – Baltimore Orioles @ New York Yankees

The Orioles have picked up right where they left off in 2023 as they own a 47-25 record, which is the third best record in MLB behind the Yankees and Phillies. Leading the way offensively for Baltimore is second-year superstar Gunnar Henderson. The 22-year-old shortstop is batting .273 with 22 homers, 49 RBI and 11 stolen bases through 72 games. His 22 homers ranks second to Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. Last season, Henderson was named the American League Rookie of the Year after hitting .255 with 28 homers and 82 RBI. He became the first Oriole to win the award since reliever Gregg Olson in 1989. 

Baltimore is also getting excellent seasons at the plate from the trio of catcher Adley Rutschman (.288, 14 HR, 53 RBI), right fielder Anthony Santander (.227, 18 HR, 45 RBI) and third baseman Jordan Westburg (.277, 11 HR, 42 RBI). The 26-year-old Rutschman was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft and is on pace to post career-highs in batting average, homers and RBI in his third season. The 29-year-old veteran Santander has established himself as Baltimore’s best power hitter as he’s led the team in homers and RBI for the last two seasons.

Baltimore made a big splash in the offseason when they acquired former Cy Young award winner Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Bucks in a blockbuster trade. The 29-year-old, three-time All-Star arrived in Baltimore with huge expectations after 6 excellent seasons with Milwaukee. Burns accolades in Milwaukee include winning the 2021 Cy Young Award along with being named an All-Star and striking out 200+ batters in each of the last three seasons.

Corbin Burnes has been magnificent in his first season as an Oriole. In his debut on Opening Day, he struck out 11 batters over 6 innings against the Los Angeles Angels on Mar. 28. On the season, Burnes is 8-2 with a 2.23 ERA through 15 starts. He has yet to allow more than 3 earned runs in any start this season and has allowed two runs or fewer in 12 of his 15 starts. Burns anchors a starting pitching staff that has been very good this season. 

GAME STORYLINES: YANKEES

Last season, the New York Yankees suffered through one of their worst seasons in decades when they finished 82-80. Injuries to star players Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo and Nestor Cortes left the team short-handed and in an uphill climb for the entire 2023 season. The 82-80 mark was their worst record since a 76-86 finish in 1992. The Yankees also missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. 

New York made major moves in the offseason in an effort to erase the stain that was the 2023 season. They added All-Star right fielder Juan Soto, left fielder Alex Verdugo and starting pitcher Marcus Stroman. All three players have been outstanding this season and are playing prominent roles as the Yankees have returned to their dominant ways. New York occupies the best record in MLB at 51-25. 

MLB Picks 6/20 – Baltimore Orioles @ New York Yankees

Superstar Juan Soto was the biggest name of the newcomers and New York gave up 5 players in a trade to get him from San Diego. The 25-year-old, three-time All Star and World Series champion Soto added more firepower to a lineup that was already elite before he arrived. In his first season wearing the pinstripes, Soto has been fantastic as he’s batting .312 with 18 HR, 55 RBI and 59 walks through 73 games.  

After an injury-plagued 2023 season, MVP slugger Aaron Judge is back to his stellar level of play. Judge is hitting .302 with an MLB-leading 26 homers and 64 RBI through 74 games. He’s in a good position to win his second American League MVP award if he stays healthy. The Yankees received a big scare when Judge was hit by a fastball on his left hand during Tuesday’s 4-2 win against Baltimore. The X-rays came back negative and he’s considered day-to-day. Judge did miss last night’s loss to Baltimore and could be out for today’s game as well. 

Rookie starting pitcher Luis Gil takes the mound this afternoon for the Yankees. The 26-year-old star has seemingly come out of nowhere to become the Yankees ace this season. Gil was supposed to be a temporary fill-in replacement for 2023 American League Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, who began the season on the injured list, but he has emerged as a 2024 Cy Young candidate himself at this point of the season. 

On the season, Luis Gil is 9-1 with a 2.03 ERA and a 96:39 KK:BB through 14 starts. He set a Yankees rookie record when he struck out 14 batters in a 6-1 win against the Chicago White Sox on May 18. The record previously belonged to Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez who struck out 13 in 1998. Gil has held opponents to one run or fewer in 8 of his 9 previous starts.

THE PICK: BALTIMORE  (ML)

Baltimore has had the Yankees number of late winning 5 of 7 this year and 8 of 11 since July 2023.  When you factor in Aaron Judge possibly missing today’s game, I’ve got to go with the 48-25 underdogs on the road.  Take the Orioles on the moneyline.

MLB Picks 6/20 – Baltimore Orioles @ New York Yankees