Baltimore @ Boston preview
Fenway Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 21, 2012 ) Baltimore 4, Boston 2
Not even the magic of Fenway Park has been able to derail the Baltimore Orioles' charmed season, though the Green Monster hasn't been kind to its home denizens in 2012. The surprising Orioles will try for their sixth straight win on Saturday as they move closer to locking down their first postseason appearance since 1997. The Boston Red Sox, who are 33-44 at home, are fighting to stay out of the American League East cellar.
Baltimore has won nine of 13 meetings with Boston this season and needs just one win in the final five meetings to clinch the season series for the first time since 2004. The Orioles have won nine of 11 at Fenway Park. With 12 games to play, the Orioles don't need many more wins to clinch a playoff spot. They're one game behind the New York Yankees in the division and in position for the top wild-card spot, one game ahead of Oakland and 4 1/2 in front of the Los Angeles Angels.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MASN, NESN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Randy Wolf (2-0, 5.23 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Aaron Cook (4-10, 4.93)
Wolf will make his second start since joining the Orioles after three relief stints. He allowed two runs over four innings in his first start at Oakland, getting a no-decision but putting the Orioles in position for a win. Wolf is 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA in six starts against Boston, but he has faced the Red Sox only once since 2004.
Cook picked up his first win in a month and a half in his last outing, holding Tampa Bay to one run over six innings to snap a six-start winless streak. He hasn't had much luck against Baltimore this year, losing both of his starts, but his defense let him down both times he faced the Orioles. He allowed seven runs (six earned) in 2 2/3 innings May 5 at Fenway Park and gave up five runs (two earned) in 5 1/3 innings on Aug. 15 at Baltimore.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Orioles activated DH Jim Thome and LHP Troy Patton from the disabled list Friday. Patton (1-0, 2.58) is a key part of Baltimore's bullpen; he has not allowed an earned run in his last 18 appearances dating to July 6.
2. Boston OF Jacoby Ellsbury sat out Friday with what manager Bobby Valentine told reporters was a precautionary measure for "a little situation."
3. Orioles 2B Robert Andino underwent a concussion test after taking a fastball from Mark Melancon to the helmet in the ninth inning Friday.