Preview: Red Sox at Orioles
Gracenote
Jul 22, 2018
The Boston Red Sox's powerful offense woke up in the finale of their first series after the All-Star break and look to carry that over when they visit the Baltimore Orioles on Monday to open a three-game set between the major league’s best and worst teams. The Red Sox managed one run while splitting the first two games of the series before routing Detroit 9-1 on Sunday improve their record to 70-31.
Boston left 19 on base during the first two games in Detroit but went 3-for-6 with runners in scoring position Sunday and Jackie Bradley Jr. launched a three-run homer as the Red Sox improved to 14-2 in their last 16. Rick Porcello, who beat Baltimore with six innings of three-run ball on May 19, gets the start in the opener for Boston, while fellow right-hander Kevin Gausman goes for the Orioles. Baltimore coughed up a three-run lead in the eighth inning and dropped a 5-4 decision at Toronto on Sunday for its third loss in a row and 20th in its last 25 outings to plummet to the bottom of the majors with a 28-72 record. Jonathan Schoop has warmed up of late for the Orioles, going 8-for-26 with a pair of homers during a six-game hitting streak to raise his batting average to .231.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (11-4, 4.13 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (4-7, 4.33)
Porcello hopes to rebound from his worst outing of the season in his last start before the break, allowing eight runs and seven hits over two innings in a loss to Toronto on July 13. The New Jersey native gave up five runs across 13 innings to win his first two starts of July while combining for 14 strikeouts. Mark Trumbo is 11-for-37 with four homers versus Porcello, who is 5-11 with a 4.86 ERA in 19 career starts against the Orioles.
Gausman has managed just one victory since May 11 but boasts five quality starts in 11 outings during that stretch. The 27-year-old LSU product, who started July with a win against the Los Angeles Angels, gave up five runs on a season-high 12 hits last time out on July 12 in a 5-4 loss to Philadelphia. Mookie Betts is 15-for-32 with three homers against Gausman, who is 4-7 with a 4.25 ERA in 19 appearances (14 starts) versus Boston.
WALK-OFFS
1. Betts has hit safely in 14 of his last 16 games and leads the majors with a .352 batting average.
2. Baltimore CF Adam Jones was rested Sunday after hitting safely in three straight games with five hits and four RBIs.
3. The Red Sox have won nine of 10 meetings with the Orioles this season, including a three-game sweep at Baltimore last month.
PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Orioles 4
Gracenote
Jul 22, 2018
The Boston Red Sox's powerful offense woke up in the finale of their first series after the All-Star break and look to carry that over when they visit the Baltimore Orioles on Monday to open a three-game set between the major league’s best and worst teams. The Red Sox managed one run while splitting the first two games of the series before routing Detroit 9-1 on Sunday improve their record to 70-31.
Boston left 19 on base during the first two games in Detroit but went 3-for-6 with runners in scoring position Sunday and Jackie Bradley Jr. launched a three-run homer as the Red Sox improved to 14-2 in their last 16. Rick Porcello, who beat Baltimore with six innings of three-run ball on May 19, gets the start in the opener for Boston, while fellow right-hander Kevin Gausman goes for the Orioles. Baltimore coughed up a three-run lead in the eighth inning and dropped a 5-4 decision at Toronto on Sunday for its third loss in a row and 20th in its last 25 outings to plummet to the bottom of the majors with a 28-72 record. Jonathan Schoop has warmed up of late for the Orioles, going 8-for-26 with a pair of homers during a six-game hitting streak to raise his batting average to .231.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (11-4, 4.13 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (4-7, 4.33)
Porcello hopes to rebound from his worst outing of the season in his last start before the break, allowing eight runs and seven hits over two innings in a loss to Toronto on July 13. The New Jersey native gave up five runs across 13 innings to win his first two starts of July while combining for 14 strikeouts. Mark Trumbo is 11-for-37 with four homers versus Porcello, who is 5-11 with a 4.86 ERA in 19 career starts against the Orioles.
Gausman has managed just one victory since May 11 but boasts five quality starts in 11 outings during that stretch. The 27-year-old LSU product, who started July with a win against the Los Angeles Angels, gave up five runs on a season-high 12 hits last time out on July 12 in a 5-4 loss to Philadelphia. Mookie Betts is 15-for-32 with three homers against Gausman, who is 4-7 with a 4.25 ERA in 19 appearances (14 starts) versus Boston.
WALK-OFFS
1. Betts has hit safely in 14 of his last 16 games and leads the majors with a .352 batting average.
2. Baltimore CF Adam Jones was rested Sunday after hitting safely in three straight games with five hits and four RBIs.
3. The Red Sox have won nine of 10 meetings with the Orioles this season, including a three-game sweep at Baltimore last month.
PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Orioles 4