As May rolls in, the New York Yankees are doing what they do best—building momentum. Under Aaron Boone, the Bronx Bombers have historically thrived in this month, and 2026 is shaping up to be no different. After lighting up the scoreboard with five runs against both Cade Povich and Kyle Bradish, the Yanks have secured back-to-back wins over the Baltimore Orioles. Now, they're eyeing a third straight victory in this unusual four-game wraparound series, and they've got the perfect man on the mound to make it happen.
Enter Max Fried, the Yankees' ace, who continues to prove why he was one of the most impactful signings in recent memory. On Monday in Arlington, Fried delivered a vintage performance—six scoreless innings, scattering just four hits and two walks against the Rangers. Today marks his 40th start in pinstripes, and the numbers are staggering: a 2.71 ERA across 242.2 innings, with 226 strikeouts against only 85 walks. Simply put, he's been a game-changer.
Fried has faced the Orioles twice before, and his last outing against them was nothing short of legendary. On September 18th, he spun a seven-inning scoreless masterpiece, striking out 13 batters. But Baltimore's lineup has evolved, now featuring Pete Alonso in the heart of the order. Alonso and Fried have plenty of history from their NL East days, and while neither has a clear edge—Alonso owns a .738 OPS in 42 at-bats—it's a matchup worth watching.
On the other side, the Orioles are turning to a fresh face. Trey Gibson, Baltimore's No. 3 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, is making his major league debut. Thrust into action due to injuries to Dean Kremer (quad strain) and Trevor Rogers (illness), Gibson has been a pleasant surprise since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2023. His numbers at Triple-A Norfolk—a 4.01 ERA in six starts—and a career 3.99 mark in the minors show he's got potential. But facing a red-hot Yankee lineup that's averaging nearly six runs per game over the last two weeks is a tall order. Keep an eye on Gibson's signature pitch: a devastating slider nicknamed the "death ball" for its sharp, late break.
With Fried on the hill and the bats in a groove, the Yankees are poised to keep their May magic alive. Will Gibson's debut be a bright spot for Baltimore, or will the Bombers continue their winning ways? One thing's for sure—this series is heating up.