Yankees (12-9) Vs. Orioles (14-8): Game Time, Preview, Probable Pitchers

As the first month of the 2012 MLB season draws toward a close the New York Yankees open a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles Monday night at Yankee Stadium (7:05 p.m. ET, YES). The Yankees (12-9) find themselves trailing the division-leading Orioles (14-8) by 1.5 games entering the series.

In Monday's series opener the Yankees will turn to veteran right-hander Hiroki Kuroda (1-3, 4.38 ERA) while the Orioles will pitch Jason Hammel (3-0, 1.73).

Tuesday night the Yankees will give Phil Hughes (1-3, 7.88) another opportunity to show that he belongs in the rotation. Over the weekend the Yankees bumped veteran Freddy Garcia to the bullpen. With Andy Pettitte's return looming, and youngsters David Phelps and D.J. Mitchell now on the roster and pressing for an opportunity, the heat is on Hughes.

In Wednesday's series final the Yankees will pitch Ivan Nova (3-0, 5.18) against Jake Arietta (1-2, 4.45).

Baltimore manager Buck Showalter, who began his career with the Yankees, is one win shy of 1,000 for his career.

The Yankees are still looking to get their starting pitching beyond ace CC Sabathia straightened out. Good efforts this week from Kuroda, Hughes and Nova would be a beginning.

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