Yankees vs Orioles Preview: Pitching Duel on May 12

The Yankees have built an impressive pitching rotation that could dominate in the American League. Max Fried emerged as the ace in his first season in New York, delivering dominant performances with excellent run prevention. Although Gerrit Cole missed last season with injury, he's expected to return and give New York an incredible one-two punch. Carlos Rodón adds another powerful arm to the mix. With David Bednar taking over closing duties after being acquired from Pittsburgh, the Yankees have veteran experience ready to lock down close games when the pressure is highest.

Aaron Judge remains the Yankees' centerpiece and one of baseball's most feared hitters. The towering slugger has won three MVP awards, including the last two American League honors. Last season he led the league in walks while capturing the batting title with a .331 average. He's also hit over 50 home runs in each of the past two seasons. Meanwhile, Gunnar Henderson represents the Orioles' brightest young star, combining power and speed. Although his home runs dropped from 37 to 17 last season, he compensated by stealing a career-high 30 bases.

Pete Alonso joined the Orioles through free agency, signing a five-year contract in one of the offseason's biggest moves. The powerful first baseman is one of baseball's premier home run hitters with 264 home runs in his first seven major league seasons. His durability stands out too, as he's played at least 152 games in each of the past five years. Jazz Chisholm Jr. adds explosive energy to the Yankees lineup, making the All-Star team last year. He hit 31 home runs while stealing 31 bases, showcasing his dynamic skill set that impacts games in multiple ways.