New York Yankees vs Baltimore Orioles Picks and Predictions June 22nd 2025

A few days ago, a quiet gloom had settled over Yankee Stadium. A lineup built for devastation was historically dormant, and a six-game losing streak had fans and pundits alike wondering if the league’s best team had lost its way. Now, after an offensive explosion and a near-historic performance on the mound, the swagger is back in the Bronx. The resurgent New York Yankees will look to secure a series victory on Sunday as they host a battered but resilient Baltimore Orioles team in a crucial rubber match. The game serves as a litmus test for both clubs: are the Yankees truly back, and can the Orioles weather the storm of significant injuries to their core?

The Bronx Bombers are Back

The transformation for the Yankees’ offense has been as sudden as it was necessary. The team was mired in its longest losing streak since 2023, a stretch highlighted by a shocking 30-inning scoreless streak. During the six-game skid, the team batted a paltry .155, looking lost at the plate. But something clicked. After finally breaking the scoreless stretch on Wednesday, the floodgates opened. Over their last three games, the Yankees have amassed an incredible 36 hits and 19 runs, looking every bit the part of the offensive juggernaut they were built to be. Saturday’s 9-0 rout was a masterclass in power, featuring four different players hitting solo home runs.

“Three in a row now and I would put (a 5-3 loss on Friday) very much in that mix, but at the same time, that’s who they are, what they’re capable of,” a relieved Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “We’ve seen that the last few days now… the heavy at-bats have returned.”

For young shortstop Anthony Volpe, Saturday’s game must have felt like a massive weight lifted from his shoulders. Stuck in a frustrating 0-for-25 slump that mirrored his team’s struggles, he finally broke through with a three-hit performance, including an infield single that seemed to open the floodgates before he later homered. Even superstar Aaron Judge, who had been in a 2-for-24 funk, contributed with a double, showing signs that the heart of the order is waking up.

The “Next Man Up” Orioles Face a Major Test

While the Yankees are celebrating a resurgence, the Orioles are facing a significant wave of adversity. Their clubhouse was dealt a major blow on Saturday when star catcher Adley Rutschman was placed on the injured list with a strained left oblique. Rutschman is not only one of the best catchers in baseball but is also the undisputed leader of the team. His absence from the lineup and from behind the plate is a massive loss.

The injury woes were compounded when another key player, Jordan Westburg, had to exit Saturday’s game with a jammed left index finger after stealing a base. While X-rays were negative and he is considered day-to-day, it’s unlikely he will be available for Sunday’s finale. This leaves Baltimore short-handed against one of the league’s best teams. How a club navigates injuries to star players is a critical factor, a topic explored in depth in our expert betting guide.

Despite the setbacks, the Orioles are not backing down. “We’re playing some good baseball right now. I know today didn’t look great, but the past couple weeks have been very positive,” Westburg said before his injury. “For the rest of the guys in this clubhouse, I think it’s the next man up mentality and we find a way to win ball games.”

Warren’s Quest for Consistency

The Yankees will hand the ball to right-hander Will Warren (4-4, 4.83 ERA), who is looking to avoid losing consecutive starts. Warren’s recent outings have been a perfect example of his immense potential mixed with frustrating inconsistency. In his last start against the Angels, he was electric, recording a career-high 11 strikeouts. However, he also allowed three runs and was saddled with the loss. Since being tagged for seven runs by the Dodgers on May 31, Warren has been better, posting a 3.71 ERA over his last three starts, but he will need to be at his best on Sunday. His only previous start against the Orioles was a rough one, an April 28 outing where he was charged with four runs in just 3 1/3 innings and took the loss.

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Kremer’s Crucial Task

With their lineup depleted, the Orioles desperately need a strong, deep outing from their starting pitcher, and they’ll turn to right-hander Dean Kremer (6-7, 4.80 ERA). The Orioles’ bullpen has been taxed after their starters in the first two games of the series, Tomoyuki Sugano and Zach Eflin, failed to pitch deep into their respective contests. Kremer is coming off a much-needed bounce-back performance against the Rays, where he allowed just one run over five solid innings. He has a history of being competitive against the Yankees, with a 4-3 record and a 4.40 ERA in 12 career starts, and Baltimore will be counting on that experience to keep their potent lineup at bay.

The Matchup and What to Watch For

Sunday’s finale presents a fascinating clash of narratives. The Yankees’ offense, after looking historically futile just a few days ago, now seems unstoppable. The Orioles, who were playing confident baseball, are now banged-up and trying to piece together a lineup. The pitching matchup features two right-handers looking for a quality start to give their team the edge in a rubber match. The scores and odds will likely favor the home team, but the Orioles have shown they are a scrappy bunch.

This game is a significant test for two MLB teams with playoff aspirations. Can the Yankees prove their slump is truly over and continue their offensive onslaught? Or will the short-handed Orioles find a way to win a series on the road behind a gritty pitching performance? To see who our experts are backing to win the series, check out our daily MLB picks.