Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD
First pitch: 6:35 p.m. EDT
TV: YES / MASN
Probable starters:
LHP Carlos Rodón (Yankees, 4-2, 3.30 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 52 K in 46.1 IP) vs. RHP Shane Baz (Orioles, 4-12, 4.00 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 122 K in 139.1 IP).
This is the opener of a three-game AL East series. The Yankees sit second in the division (holding a top AL wild-card spot) and lead the season series 5-2. The Orioles are fourth and fighting to stay relevant in the wild-card race after a mixed recent stretch that included a late loss to the Rays on Monday.
Venue & Weather
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a hitter-friendly park, particularly for left-handed power, with its short right-field porch. Night games can still favor pitching depending on wind. Forecast for first pitch: Partly sunny, high around 86–88°F, light north/northwest winds 2–7 mph, near-0% chance of precipitation. Warm and humid but clear with no delay expected. Overnight lows near 70°F.
Injury Reports
Yankees:
SP Carlos Rodón activated from 15-day IL (elbow inflammation) for this start (first MLB appearance since late June).
SP Max Fried (15-day IL, left elbow bone bruise) – expected ~Aug. 30.
LF Cody Bellinger (10-day IL, hamstring) – expected ~Aug. 25 (rehab imminent).
DH Giancarlo Stanton (10-day IL, calf/leg) – expected ~Aug. 25.
RP Kervin Castro (15-day IL, elbow) – expected ~Aug. 25.
RF Aaron Judge (60-day IL, rib stress fracture) – longer-term (~Sept.).
SP Clarke Schmidt (60-day IL, elbow) – out longer-term.
Orioles:
C Samuel Basallo (10-day IL, shoulder) – expected ~Aug. 21 (rehab started).
INF/OF Blaze Alexander (10-day IL, hand) – expected ~Aug. 25.
1B Ryan Mountcastle (60-day IL, foot) – longer-term.
RPs Félix Bautista, Ryan Helsley, Keegan Akin, Colin Selby (60-day IL, various arm/shoulder issues).
INF Jordan Westburg (60-day IL, UCL).
SP Zach Eflin (60-day IL, elbow).
Both clubs are significantly depleted in the lineup and bullpen.
Current Rosters / Key Contributors
Yankees key players: 1B/DH Ben Rice (power leader ~33 HR), INF Luis García Jr. (.278 range, multi-hit production), CF Trent Grisham (recent power), 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr., SS George Lombard Jr., OF Heliot Ramos / Spencer Jones, C Austin Wells, 3B Ryan McMahon / José Caballero. Rotation features Rodón’s return alongside Gerrit Cole, Cam Schlittler, and others; strong overall pitching (team ERA ~3.26).
Orioles key players: 1B Pete Alonso (hot recently with multi-HR stretches), SS Gunnar Henderson, 3B Christian Encarnación-Strand (recent multi-RBI games), 2B Jackson Holliday, OF Tyler O’Neill / Leody Taveras / Coby Mayo, C Adley Rutschman (when available). Rotation includes Baz, Kyle Bradish, Chris Bassitt; offense has shown power but inconsistency.
Recent Team Forms
Yankees (last 10: 5-5): Pitching has been excellent (team ERA ~2.37 in last 10), but offense is struggling (.201 AVG range recently) without Judge, Bellinger, and Stanton. Road record 38-28; strong when limiting damage.
Orioles (last 10: 5-5): Better offensive output (.273 AVG) with power (Alonso, Encarnación-Strand hot). Home record 32-30; they thrive when not allowing home runs (30-11). Dropped the series finale in Tampa but took the first three.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups & Pitcher Notes
Rodón vs. Orioles: Returning from elbow IL after rehab success. Career vs. Baltimore is mixed (roughly 4.53 ERA in limited starts). High strikeout potential but elevated walk rate this year. Faces a power-heavy lineup (Alonso, Henderson, Encarnación-Strand key threats). Success depends on command in first outing back.
Baz vs. Yankees: Solid underlying numbers despite the 4-12 record (ERA+ around average). Recent form includes a complete game but also short outings. Has struggled against New York previously. Yankees’ depleted but still powerful bats (Rice, García, Grisham) will test him in a park that boosts lefty power.
Bullpens: Yankees generally stronger overall; Orioles missing key late-inning arms.
Series History
Yankees lead the 2026 season series 5-2. These AL East rivals have a long, competitive history with frequent tight, high-stakes games at Camden Yards. New York has generally held the edge in recent years.
Betting Trends
Yankees strong on the road and with elite pitching; Orioles competitive at home and in no-HR games. Public lean has favored New York. Totals often suppressed by strong starting pitching.
GAME ODDS
New York Yankees – 113
Baltimore Orioles 8.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, August 17, 2026
