Red Sox Series Preview: At Orioles – Round 2

Apr 23, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) is greeted in the dugout by teammates after scoring against Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Orioles Key Players To Watch:

•  Center fielder Adam Jones is a beast, and we don’t mean when barking at Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays about ‘the code’. Hitting .424, Jones has been a definite threat to all opposing pitchers. He has 5 home runs and 16 RBIs as a result of his .763 slugging percentage. Considering that he hits way better at home (.571) than away (.342), Jones will love having the home fans on his side as he has battles at the plate in this series.

• Chris Davis has severely struggled, as of late. He has 2 home runs and 7 RBIs for the season, but has also struck out 26 times. At a .232 batting average, the Red Sox will want to exploit Davis’ recent troubles for easy outs at the plate.

• Third baseman Manny Machado continues to be better and better as the season moves on, after recovering from a year-ending injury. In the last three games, Machado has 2 home runs and 6 RBIs, as his power has increased to a .418 slugging percentage. Considering he hits much better against righty pitchers than left-handed pitchers, look for Machado to try to impose his game plan against Porcello and Masterson.