The set-up: Both teams played to lower-scoring affairs in their respective series finales yesterday's The Orioles beat the Angels 5-1 and the Yanks got the better of Tampa 7-1. I think Game 1 of this series in the Big Apple though sets up as a "slug-fest." The Orioles hand the ball to David Hess and the home side counters with Jonathan Loaisiga.

The pitchers: Hess (1-4, 5.50 ERA) gave up four runs off four hits over 4.1 innings in a fortunate no-decision vs. the White Sox on Wednesday. Hess has been forced into a starters role due to an injury to Alex Cobb.

Loaisiga (1-1, 4.50) has been mediocre since getting called up from Triple-A Scranton. He's in the rotation out of necessity as well with an injury to James Paxton.

The pick: The Yanks welcome back Aaron Hicks tonight and Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge will also be returning in the next couple of weeks. The Yanks come home confident and healthier than they've been in a while. I expect these two volatile starters to get the hook early and for this total to fly over sooner, rather than later.

NY Yankees/Baltimore Orioles OVER

9* play