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Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles series preview

Chris Embree|
Oct 9, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; A security guard stands in the falling rain at Fenway Park before game three of the 2016 ALDS baseball playoffs between the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox. The game was postponed due the forecast of continued rain. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; A security guard stands in the falling rain at Fenway Park before game three of the 2016 ALDS baseball playoffs between the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox. The game was postponed due the forecast of continued rain. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Previewing the three-game set between the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles.

The Boston Red Sox (10-6) visit the Baltimore Orioles (10-4) for a three-game series in Camden Yards.

The Red Sox have won 6 of their last 8 games, including taking two out of three games last series against the Blue Jays.

The Orioles have won 6 of their last 9 games, dating back to their last series against the Red Sox.

This is an important series for both teams, as the Sox are only 1 game out of 1st place in the division, trailing the Orioles.

Pitching Matchups

Friday, April 21 at 7:05 PM – Drew Pomeranz (1-0, 5.23 ERA) vs Dylan Bundy (2-1, 1.76 ERA)

Saturday, April 22 at 7:05 PM – Steven Wright (1-1, 8.36 ERA) vs Jayson Aquino

Sunday, April 23 at 1:35 PM – Eduardo Rodriguez (0-1, 4.76) vs Kevin Gausman (1-1, 7.23 ERA)

Series Notes

Jackie Bradley Jr

. is expected to make his return to the lineup. This will mark the first time since pretty much Opening Day that the starting lineup has been completely healthy.

Mookie

,

Hanley

,

Xander

, and Jackie Bradley have all missed small amounts of time so far in the season. Now with a clean bill of health, it will be nice to see what this lineup can accomplish throughout a long stretch of games together.

More from Red Sox News

  • The bullpen (minus Craig Kimbrel) should be relatively well-rested as well. Yesterday’s game featured Kimbrel as the only bullpen member used. When they lost to the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Eduardo Rodriguez was the only pitcher to throw in relief, so the bullpen has essentially had two full days off. The bullpen may see a lot of time on the mound, given that Pomeranz, Wright, and Eduardo have not been able to go deep into games so far in the season.
  • After a hot start to the season, Sandy Leon has cooled off. He has 2 hits in his last 24 at-bats (.083 batting average). Leon has been tagged as Rick Porcello’s personal catcher so it looks like the Sox will continue to roll Sandy out there every 5th day with Porcello. Christian Vazquez, who is hitting .563 in just 6 games, should start to see more time behind the plate.
  • Two very impressive streaks, unfortunately, came to an end. Craig Kimbrel had converted 24 saves in a row before giving up a game-tying home run to Kendrys Morales. Kimbrel was able to pitch a scoreless inning in the 10th and pick up the win. Mookie Betts had a streak of 129 straight plate appearances without a strikeout. He struck out in the 4th inning of Thursday’s game, but like Kimbrel, righted his wrong by providing the eventual game-winning 3-run double in the 10th.

    • Key Hitters

    Boston Red Sox: Mitch Moreland

    2017 Season (16 Games): .344/.420/.574, 1 HR, 8 RBI

    Career vs Baltimore Orioles (38 Games): .269/.327/.470, 7 HR, 21 RBI

    Mitch Moreland has been a rock in the middle of the lineup this year. He’s the only player to play in every single game so far. He’s leading the team (among all qualified hitters) in batting average, OBP, slugging percentage, OPS, total bases, and total hits. Most impressively, he is leading the MLB with 11 doubles. He has been vulnerable to lefties in the past, but this year has hit lefties at a .273/.385/.455 clip. Needless to say, Moreland has been an important addition to the lineup this year.

    Baltimore Orioles: Trey Mancini

    2017 Season (10 Games): .321/.367/.786, 4 HR, 9 RBI

    Career vs Red Sox (5 Games): .429/.500/1.429, 4 HR, 8 RBI

    Mancini has burst onto the scene in his brief major league career. He tied the record for most home runs through the first 12 games of a career, hitting 7. Of those 7 home runs, 4 have come against the Red Sox. He has recently been moved to the leadoff spot in the order so look for him to cause some damage early in the game.

    Next: Which young star will be left out of the future?

    Check back with BoSox Injection prior to the start of every Red Sox series this season for our preview!

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