Yankees Clash With Dominican Dominators in Semifinal Series!

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 13: Aaron Judge #99 of Team United States looks on during a game against Team Canada during the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park on March 13, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images Editor’s note: We have Yankees in separate games tonight and since we’ve been preparing game threads for the knockout stage of the 2026 World Baseball Classics, we’re blending both together tonight! No need to make people go to separate threads for different conversations at the same time.

The Yankees’ spring training game against the Orioles is up first, so we’ll run through what you need to know for that one first. New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles: Paul Blackburn vs. Zach Eflin The Yankees got torched in the early game of split-squad action, Luis Gil surrendering seven runs on nine hits in just three innings as the Tigers made it a laugher early.

That brings us to the nightcap, the other half of the current spring team traveling to Sarasota to take on the Orioles. Paul Blackburn was one of many players who the Yankees brought back from last season, re-signing on a one-year, $2 million deal in January. He has generally looked sharp in four appearances this spring with a 1.

46 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 12. 1 innings. His fastball velocity is up, which should help him retain his longman roll with the team and serve as rotation insurance alongside Ryan Yarbrough.