Boston @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Sep 23, 2012 ) Baltimore 1, Boston 2
The Baltimore Orioles will continue their quest for their first postseason berth since 1997 when they open a three-game series against the visiting Boston Red Sox on Friday. The Orioles are one game behind the New York Yankees in the American League East and possess the top wild-card spot with six games remaining. Baltimore tied a franchise-record with seven homers in Wednesday’s victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Boston has lost six of its last seven games.
The Red Sox (69-87) conclude a disappointing season with six road games. Boston’s current winning percentage of .442 would rank as the franchise’s lowest since the 1965 club had a .383 mark while going 62-100. The Red Sox play three games against the Yankees after this series. Baltimore has won 11 of its last 16 contests and has excelled in close games, compiling a major-league leading 27-9 mark in one-run games. The Orioles are 10-5 against the Red Sox this season.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, New England Sports Network (Boston), Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Aaron Cook (4-10, 5.13 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Chris Tillman (8-2, 3.08)
Cook received a no-decision against the Orioles last Saturday despite giving up five runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings. He defeated Tampa Bay in his previous start to end a five-game losing skid. Cook is 0-2 with an 8.78 ERA in three starts against Baltimore, all coming this season.
Tillman has won his last three decisions and given up just one run in each of his last two starts. He didn’t get a decision against Boston last Sunday despite allowing just one run and six hits in six innings. He has a 3.38 ERA in two starts against Boston this season and is 0-1 with a 4.24 ERA in four career starts against the Red Sox.
WALK-OFFS
1. Orioles INF Chris Davis is batting .455 (10-for-22) during a six-game hitting streak. He had two homers and a career-best five RBIs in Wednesday’s win over Toronto.
2. Boston has scored two runs in four of its last five games and has been outscored 43-21 in its last seven contests.
3. Baltimore C Matt Wieters is 5-for-7 with four doubles against Cook. Davis is 4-for-7 versus the hurler.