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

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.

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.