Scheduled First pitch is for 6:35 p.m. ET
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland (classic bandbox that favors hitters, especially power to left-center and the short right-field porch; capacity ~45,000).
This is the series finale of a three-game AL East set. The Yankees have taken the first two games (3-1 on Tuesday and 5-3 on Wednesday), extending their season-series lead (they entered the series already ahead and now sit at roughly 8-2 overall against Baltimore in 2026). The Yankees are second in the AL East (about 5 games behind Tampa Bay), while the Orioles sit fifth and are further from contention.
Probable Starting Pitchers
NYY: RHP Gerrit Cole (6-6, 3.22 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 86.2 IP, 92 K, 19 BB, 11 HR). Excellent recent form (strong last several starts with a sub-2.50 ERA stretch in some windows, elite command, high strikeout rate). Facing the Orioles for the first time since 2024.
BAL: RHP Kyle Bradish (7-11, 3.65 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 133.0 IP, 124 K, 58 BB, 13 HR). Solid but more walk-prone; has shown quality outings (including scoreless work vs. Yankees earlier) but higher WHIP and more inconsistency than Cole.
Cole holds a clear edge in ERA, WHIP, and walk rate.
Current Rosters & Key Contributors
Yankees key active pieces: Ben Rice (1B/DH, power leader with ~34 HR and strong RBI totals), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B, speed/power), Trent Grisham (CF), Heliot Ramos (OF), Spencer Jones (RF), Ryan McMahon (3B—day-to-day after thumb issue), George Lombard Jr. (SS), Austin Wells (C), Luis García Jr. (1B/utility). Pitching depth includes Cam Schlittler and others in the rotation/bullpen (Headrick, Bednar, etc.). Note: Lineups announced closer to game time.
Orioles key active pieces: Pete Alonso (1B, ~.267 AVG, strong HR/RBI production), Gunnar Henderson (SS), Jackson Holliday (2B), Coby Mayo (3B/power), Colton Cowser or similar OF options, Adley Rutschman or Samuel Basallo (C—Basallo recently activated from IL), Tyler O’Neill or other outfield depth. Rotation includes Shane Baz and Chris Bassitt; bullpen depleted by injuries.
Injury Reports
Yankees: Aaron Judge (RF, right rib stress fracture, 60-day IL, targeting September return/hitting progression started); Cody Bellinger (LF, left hamstring, 10-day IL, rehab assignment beginning ~Aug 20, possible return soon after); Giancarlo Stanton (DH, right calf, 10-day IL, ~Aug 31); Max Fried (SP, left elbow bone bruise, 15-day IL, ~Aug 30); Kervin Castro (RP, right elbow, 15-day IL, ~Aug 28); Clarke Schmidt (SP, elbow recovery, 60-day IL); Ryan McMahon (3B, thumb, day-to-day—X-rays after Wednesday exit).
Orioles: Blaze Alexander (3B/INF, left hand fracture, 10-day IL, targeting late August rehab); Felix Bautista (RP, shoulder surgery, 60-day IL, ~Sep 3); Ryan Helsley (RP, elbow, 60-day IL, ~Sep 3); Ryan Mountcastle (1B, foot, 60-day IL, longer timeline); Jordan Westburg (INF, UCL/Tommy John, 60-day IL, out longer-term); Zach Eflin (SP, elbow/Tommy John, out for season); Keegan Akin and Colin Selby (also long-term IL). Samuel Basallo recently activated from shoulder IL.
Weather Forecast
Evening game expected with highs in the low-to-mid 80s°F (around 82–86°F daytime, cooling into the upper 60s/low 70s by first pitch). High chance of showers and thunderstorms (60–80%, especially afternoon into evening), mostly cloudy, light winds (around 5 mph, variable/northeast to south). Humidity elevated; possible delays or impact on ball flight if storms arrive. Camden Yards can play differently with humidity and any out-to-in wind.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups & Recent Team Forms
Cole vs. Orioles lineup (Alonso, Henderson, Holliday, Mayo, Cowser): Cole’s elite command and strikeout stuff should neutralize power threats; Orioles have shown vulnerability to high-velocity/right-handed aces.
Bradish vs. Yankees (Rice, Chisholm, Grisham, Ramos, Wells): Bradish’s higher walk rate could lead to free passes against a patient but currently lower-AVG Yankees group; Rice’s power is a major threat in this park.
Bullpens favor the Yankees given Orioles’ closer/depth losses.
Recent form
Yankees ~6-4 in last 10 (strong pitching, W3 streak entering Thursday after consecutive wins in Baltimore; offense has been quieter overall this year at .229 AVG but power remains).
Orioles ~5-5 in last 10 (L3 streak, mixed results including a high-scoring win over Tampa Bay earlier). Yankees hold the better overall pitching (league-best or near-best ERA around 3.24) and road record.
Series History & Betting Trends
Yankees dominate the 2026 season series (leading significantly after taking the first two of this set). Recent meetings have featured relatively controlled scoring (unders common in the series so far). Yankees perform well as slight-to-moderate road favorites; Orioles struggle more as home underdogs against elite arms. Totals often land near or under the number in pitcher-friendly matchups, though Camden Yards boosts offense.
GAME ODDS
New York Yankees – 125
Baltimore Orioles 8
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, August 19, 2026
