masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgFrom 1998 through last season the Orioles never won a season series against the New York Yankees. They tied the season series twice – going 9-9 in 2007 and 2012 – but lost the season series 14 times.

This year is quite different, however.

The Orioles are 11-4 against the Yankees, going 7-2 at home and 4-2 on the road. The teams have played five series and the Orioles have won all five.

Baltimore’s current .733 winning percentage against the Yankees is the third-best mark in single season…From 1998 through last season the Orioles never won a season series against the New York Yankees. They tied the season series twice – going 9-9 in 2007 and 2012 – but lost the season series 14 times.

This year is quite different, however.

The Orioles are 11-4 against the Yankees, going 7-2 at home and 4-2 on the road. The teams have played five series and the Orioles have won all five.

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Baltimore’s current .733 winning percentage against the Yankees is the third-best mark in single season head-to-head history topped by the .846 from 1982 (11-2) and the .833 from 1966 (15-3).

The most wins ever for the Orioles in one season against New York was in 1966 when the Orioles went 15-3. They were 13-5 versus the Yankees in 1965, 1967, 1968 and 1976.

The Orioles have been so good against the Yankees this season that they have nearly doubled the New Yorkers on the scoreboard scoring 72 to 37 runs.

O’s pitchers have a 2.51 ERA against the Yankees with a .221 average against and a 1.16 WHIP.

Some Yankee batting averages against the O’s:

.148 – Derek Jeter
.162 – Mark Teixeira
.192 – Brett Gardner
.214 – Jacoby Ellsbury
.234 – Brian McCann

Some O’s pitchers against New York:

* Chris Tillman is 1-1 with a 1.98 ERA in four starts.
* Bud Norris is 3-0 with a 2.12 ERA in three starts.
* Kevin Gausman is 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA in two starts.

On the mound tonight at Yankee Stadium, Wei-Yin Chen (16-4, 3.58 ERA) pitches against right-hander Michael Pineda (3-5, 2.15 ERA).

Over his last seven starts, Chen is 4-0 with a 2.64 ERA. Tonight Chen is trying to become the first O’s left-handed pitcher with 17 wins since Jeff Ballard won 18 in 1989. The last O’s starter with 17 or more wins was Mike Mussina with 18 in 1999.

Chen’s 16.1 pitches per inning lead the club’s starters and he ranks 21st in the AL. Chris Tillman (16.5) ranks 30th.