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The Baltimore Orioles have lost three consecutive games to the New York Yankees, with a combined score of 27-9. Currently, the Yankees lead the AL at 23-11, while the Orioles sit fourth in the AL East at 15-19.
What Baltimore Orioles Are Missing Compared to New York Yankees
The Baltimore Orioles have lost three straight games to the New York Yankees by a combined score of 27-9 ahead of their series finale on Monday, emphasizing the gap between the two clubs.
The Yankees top the AL at 23-11, while the Orioles are fourth in the AL East at 15-19. Additionally, New York leads the AL with a +65 run differential, and Baltimore is last at -30. The Detroit Tigers are second at +12.
It's too early to make any long-term assumptions, but it's going to be hard for the Orioles to catch the Yankees at this rate. Baltimore hasn't finished above New York in the standings since it won the AL East title in 2023. However, the squad got swept in the ALDS by the Texas Rangers that year, who later won the World Series.
The gap between the two organizations has been apparent for years, as the Orioles haven't won a playoff game since 2012, while the Yankees have been to the ALCS four times since then. That's partially because New York always has a higher payroll, and 2026 is no exception. The club ranks third in baseball with a $294.4 million total payroll, and Baltimore ranks 16th at $168.4 million, per Spotrac.
However, this season is a reminder that the money isn't the only reason why.
The Baltimore Orioles are currently fourth in the AL East with a record of 15-19, while the New York Yankees lead the AL with a record of 23-11.
The New York Yankees have a run differential of +65, while the Baltimore Orioles have a run differential of -30, highlighting a significant gap in performance.
The last time the Orioles finished above the Yankees in the standings was in 2023 when they won the AL East title.
In the AL East, the Yankees are currently leading, while the Orioles are in fourth place, with the Detroit Tigers in second place at +12 run differential.
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New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (22). © Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Although New York is loaded with nine-figure contracts thanks to stars like outfielder Aaron Judge, starting pitcher Gerrit Cole, outfielder Cody Bellinger, designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, and starting pitcher Max Fried, some of its best players are its lowest-paid this year. For example, first baseman Ben Rice leads baseball with a 1.214 OPS, and he's making $845,800. Additionally, starting pitcher Cam Schlittler is second with a 1.51 ERA and first with a 0.74 WHIP, and he's making $801,425.
Fellow starting pitcher Will Warren is also 4-0 with a 2.39 ERA over seven starts. The 26-year-old is making just $826,625 and held Baltimore to one run on three hits over 6.1 innings on Friday to go with nine strikeouts against one walk. The Yankees won 7-2.
The Orioles also have cheap young players shining, as star shortstop Gunnar Henderson leads the squad with nine homers despite his .209 batting average, catcher Adley Rutschman has an .891 OPS through 19 games, and 21-year-old catcher/designated hitter Samuel Basallo has a 1.079 OPS over the last 15 days.
However, Baltimore's young talent isn't playing to the level of New York's, which the organization can't afford given the payroll disparity. The Yankees are also getting more out of their highest-paid players, as Judge ($40 million) is tied for second in baseball with 13 homers and is seventh with a 1.031 OPS, Bellinger ($36.5 million) has an .857 OPS, and Fried ($14.5 million) is second in baseball with a 0.89 WHIP. Meanwhile, star Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso ($21 million) has a .743 OPS, starting pitcher Chris Bassitt ($18.5 million) has a 5.46 ERA, and right fielder Tyler O'Neill ($16.5 million) has a .625 OPS.
The Orioles are unlikely to outspend the Yankees anytime soon, so their best bet is to win in the development game. If drafted players like Basallo, right fielder Dylan Beavers, and starting pitcher Kyle Bradish become upper-echelon players, they'll have a chance of catching New York. Players don't hit free agency until they have six years of service time, so having a deep group of effective, low-cost pre-arbitration/arbitration players is ideal.
Monday's game against the Yankees starts at 7:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium. Schlittler will start against Baltimore right-hander Shane Baz.