The Yankees enter Camden Yards posting a 12-6 record against American League East teams.  The Orioles have lost five straight and are looking to bounce back at home.  These clubs play three in Baltimore.  Here is a series preview:

The Yanks continue to win games in different ways.  Small ball and long ball.  Starting pitching and bullpen.  They can bop the home run or lay down a bunt and manufacture a run.  Baltimore is one of the most athletic, young clubs in baseball and is an exciting team across the board with the likes of Manny Machado, Adam Jones, J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis.

Player to watch:  Hiroki Kuroda.  The Yanks are getting even more than they did last year from the Far East magician.  Kuroda is baffling hitters with his array of off-speed stuff and has an ERA below 2.00.  His story the last two years is remarkable.

Pitching match-ups:  Monday:  CC Sabathia (4-3, 3.19 ERA) vs. Freddy Garcia (0-2, 5.51 ERA).  Tuesday:  Phil Hughes (2-3, 5.88 ERA) vs. Miguel Gonzalez (2-2, 4.58 ERA).  Wednesday:  Hiroki Kuroda (6-2, 1.99 ERA) vs. Jason Hammel (5-2, 5.72 ERA.

Prediction:  Yanks win two of three.  New York always plays well at Camden Yards and sends Sabathia to the mound (thanks to the rainout Sunday vs. Toronto) as well as Kuroda in this series.  The key to this series is the middle game.  Baltimore needs a solid outing out of Gonzalez (a blister on his pitching hand in early May put him on the disabled list and he is now feeling 100% again) and the Yanks are still trying to figure out what to do with Phil Hughes.

By:  Mike Lindsley, "Mid-Day with Mike," 1-4, Yankees pre/post game host on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.  Follow him on Twitter @MikeLSports.  

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