Red Sox Series Preview: Boston at Baltimore (April 24-26)

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Last weekend, the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles faced off for the first time this season at Fenway Park. This weekend, the two will battle at Camden Yards in Baltimore. If the Red Sox learned anything in their four game split with the Orioles, it’s that the Orioles will be a legitimate threat this season, although their record does not indicate that just yet. The Orioles are last in the division with a record of 7-9, whereas the Sox are tied for first with a 9-7 record.

Probable Pitchers

Game 1, April 24: Rick Porcello (1-2, 6.63 ERA) vs Miguel Gonzalez (2-1, 2.55 ERA
Game 2, April 25: Justin Masterson (2-0, 5.74 ERA) vs Wei-Yin Chen (0-1, 3.07 ERA)
Game 3, April 26: Wade Miley (1-1, 6.08 ERA) vs Bud Norris (0-2, 17.42 ERA)

Red Sox Probable Lineup

Mookie Betts, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Shane Victorino, RF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Ryan Hanigan, C

Red Sox Injuries

Brandon Workman, 15-day DL (arm)
Christian Vazquez, out for season (Tommy John)
Edwin Escobar, 15-day DL (elbow)

Orioles Injuries

Ryan Flaherty, TBD (right groin)
J.J. Hardy, 15-day DL (shoulder)
Jonathan Schoop, TBD (PCL tear, MCL sprain)
Matt Wieters, 15-day DL (Tommy John)
Wesley Wright, 15-day DL (neck)

Who’s Hot

One of the better away hitters in the Red Sox lineup, Hanley Ramirez has a .324 average and three home runs. Ramirez also hit a three-run home run last weekend against Baltimore.

After a pretty miserable start against the Washington Nationals, Wade Miley bounced back in his last start against the Tampa Bay Rays, where he pitched a scoreless 5.2 innings. He will pitch his first career game at Camden Yards in the final game of the series on Sunday afternoon.

Who’s Not

Rick Porcello has yet to have a dominant pitching performance for the Red Sox over his three starts. All three came after his big contract, which already had people doubting the contract. Though it’s still early, Porcello needs to quiet critics and can do that with a solid win against the Orioles.

Predictions

The Red Sox are coming off their first series loss of the season, one that they should have come out of as winners. Despite the record differences, the Orioles are a much better team than the Rays are and will pose a bigger problem for the Sox. This series will hinge on starting pitching, much like it has this entire season.

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Red Sox Series Preview: Boston at Baltimore (April 24-26)

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