Thursday afternoon’s series finale between the Yankees and Orioles is much more than just a rubber match between two of the best teams in the American League.
It marks the return of Aaron Judge, who missed Wednesday night’s game after being removed from the series opener Tuesday night when he was hit by a pitch on his left hand.
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Yankees’ fans had to hold their collective breath, given two days prior Dodgers’ superstar Mookie Betts suffered a fractured left hand after being hit by a pitch and will likely be out until mid-August.
Fortunately, manager Aaron Boone said Judge would only be “day-to-day” and was “hopeful” he’d be back in the starting lineup this afternoon after avoiding a major injury.
After a dreadful month of April where he sported just a .220 batting average with only six home runs, Judge has been on fire since. The former American League MVP has 20 homers and 46 RBI since the calendar flipped to May and has raised his batting average from .197 on May 2 to .302 nearing the end of June.
Aaron Judge MVP odds
Even with the early exit on Tuesday, Judge is still the overwhelming odds-on-favorite on sportsbooks in New Jersey at -125 (Bet $125 to win $100) to take home his second AL MVP award.
What time is Yankees vs. Orioles game on Thursday?
The series finale between these two AL East counterparts will feature a 4:05 p.m. first pitch at Yankee Stadium.
What channel is Yankees vs. Orioles on?
After Wednesday night’s contest was on Prime Video, today’s game will be back on the YES Network.
Yankees vs Orioles pitching matchup for Thursday
On the mound for the Bronx Bombers will be none other than Luis Gil. The 26-year-old earned his ninth win of the season for the Yankees in a 8-1 victory at Fenway Park on June 14 against the Red Sox. Gil is currently the runaway bet with -185 odds (Bet $185 to win $100) to take home the AL Rookie of the Year as he’s stepped up in a big way to start the year with the absence of ace Gerrit Cole.
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Facing the Yankees will be Cole Irvin, who’s been one of the Orioles most consistent starters this year. While the 30-year-old southpaw has been solid in 2024, it’s notable that he’s surrendered eight or more hits in all three starts so far in June and is 0-2 with a 8.31 ERA versus the Yankees in three appearances in his six-year career.
NY Yankees starting lineup
Baltimore Orioles starting lineup
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Aaron Judge injury update: Yankees announce lineup vs Orioles on Thursday
