Will Warren throws a pitch to Carlos Correa during the first inning of the Yankees' blowout win over the Astros on April 24, 2026, in Houston. AP The Yankees will send Will Warren to the mound in the Bronx when they take on the American League East rival Orioles on Friday night.
The right-hander struggled against Baltimore a year ago, but there’s reason to believe he’s a different pitcher than the last time he saw this club.
In four outings against the Orioles last season, Warren gave up 11 earned runs in 20 innings — good for a 4.95 ERA — while allowing four home runs and walking seven batters.
Yankees fans have seen a much different version of Warren through the first month of 2026.
Through six starts, Warren owns a 2.59 ERA and a sparkling 2.77 fielding independent pitching mark, suggesting this hot start is no fluke.
He’s striking out nearly a full batter per nine innings more than he did in 2025, but his biggest gains have come with his control and ability to keep the ball in the yard.
Will Warren pitches in the second inning of the Yankees’ win over the Marlins in their home opener. Robert Sabo for NY Post Warren is walking just 5.4 percent of batters, down nearly four percentage points from last season.
Opposing hitters have homered against him in just 2.3 percent of plate appearances, thanks in large part to a much-improved ground-ball rate nearing 50 percent.
After working at least six innings in each of his last two starts, Warren looks primed to do it again against an Orioles lineup that may not be prepared for how different the former eighth-round pick looks with better command, more swing-and-miss, and a sinker-heavy profile that should help him work efficiently in a familiar matchup.
The play: Will Warren to record more than 16.5 outs (-120, DraftKings Sportsbook)
Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
