Baltimore @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 16, 2012 ) Boston 6, Baltimore 3

Destiny appears to be on the side of the Baltimore Orioles, who continue to defy logic as they move closer to their first postseason appearance since 1997. Coming off a dramatic three-game sweep in Seattle, the Orioles will open a three-game series at the Boston Red Sox on Friday night. Baltimore sits one game behind the New York Yankees for the lead in the American League East and is tied with the Oakland Athletics for the wild card lead.

The Orioles needed Thursday off after going 18 innings Tuesday and 11 innings Wednesday to finish off the Mariners. It ran their streak of extra-inning victories to 15 in a row, the longest in the majors since Cleveland won 17 straight in 1949. Boston, meanwhile, seemed on the cusp of a productive road trip before dropping the final two games in Tampa Bay, including a 7-4 defeat Thursday night in which the Red Sox coughed up a three-run ninth-inning lead.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Miguel Gonzalez (6-4, 3.57 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Jon Lester (9-12, 4.95)

Gonzalez has not pitched since limiting Tampa Bay to two runs on six hits in six innings on Sept. 12. He matched his season high with five walks but did not factor in the decision. He lost his previous outing at Toronto, giving up five runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old rookie beat the Red Sox in Baltimore on Aug. 15, allowing two runs on six hits in six innings.

Lester has had a season to forget but he will be hoping the sight of his favorite opponent can change his fortunes. Lester has never lost to the Orioles, going 14-0 with a 2.49 ERA in 20 career starts. He's had a pair of no-decisions this season against Baltimore - both at Fenway Park - and allowed seven runs in 12 innings. He gave up three runs on four hits in seven innings in a 5-0 loss at Toronto last time out.

WALK-OFFS

1. Orioles CF Adam Jones is batting .225 (9-for-40) lifetime against Lester.

2. Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia went 0-for-16 in the four-game series against Tampa Bay.

3. Baltimore has won eight of 12 meetings with Boston this season.