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Red Sox vs. Orioles series preview: Get ready for tempers to flare

By Chris Embree |
Apr 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of Fenway Park during the fifth inning of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of Fenway Park during the fifth inning of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Taking a look into the four-game set between the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles.

The Boston Red Sox (13-11) host the Baltimore Orioles (15-8) for a four-game series at Fenway Park. This will be the first time these teams have seen each other since the Matt Barnes-Manny Machado incident.

The Red Sox took on the reigning World Series champs last series and won two out of three games. The Red Sox managed to get a couple of quality starts out of Drew Pomeranz and Eduardo Rodriguez.

After a hot start to the season, the Orioles have recently returned to mediocrity. In their last 12 games they have gone 7-5.

With the way the last series ended, ESPN will be broadcasting Monday night’s game. Tensions may or may not continue to flare. Regardless, this should be an interesting series to watch.

Pitching Matchups

Monday, May 1 at 7:00 PM – Rick Porcello (1-3, 4.75 ERA) vs Dylan Bundy (3-1, 1.65 ERA)

Tuesday, May 2 at 7:10 PM – Chris Sale (1-2, 1.19 ERA) vs Alec Asher (1-0, 2.16 ERA)

Wednesday, May 3 at 7:10 PM – Drew Pomeranz (2-1, 4.15) vs Kevin Gausman (1-2, 7.50 ERA)

Thursday, May 4 at 7:10 PM – Steven Wright (1-3, 8.25) vs Ubaldo Jimenez (1-1, 7.43 ERA)

Series Notes

The Orioles gave up 30 runs in three games to the New York Yankees in their last series. They also went into extra-innings in two of those games. So what does that all mean? It means their bullpen is most likely worn out heading into this series. In those three games against the Yankees, they used 13 different relief pitchers spanning across 14 innings. The Red Sox need to take pitches and score early so they can get to the tired Orioles bullpen.

As I previously stated, ESPN will be broadcasting the first game of the series. I’m assuming part of their broadcast will be centered on the potential retribution from the Orioles. As we all know,

Machado

took out

Pedroia

, then

Barnes

threw at Machado’s head. Once a team retaliates that is usually the end of the feud. Since Barnes threw at Machado’s head, the Orioles might look to get even at some point during the series.

More from Red Sox News

Rick Porcello has struggled out of the gate. There tends to be cause for concern when the reigning CY Young Award winner sports a 1-3 record and a 4.75 ERA. History shows that he is destined to get better. In 42 careers starts in April, Porcello has gone 17-17, with a 5.38 ERA and a WHIP of 1.384. During the second half of last season, he had a 2.62 ERA and a WHIP of 0.845. Porcello is one of those pitchers who gets better as the season goes along. Look for him to get back on track.

  • Dustin Pedroia had a good series after being moved to the 6th spot in the batting order. He went 6-for-10 and had an OBP of .667. As long as Bogaerts continues to produce out of the leadoff spot, Pedroia will give the Sox good production in the middle of the order.
  • Craig Kimbrel continues to be lights-out in his second year with the team. His issue last year was that he walked far too many batters, which led to an inflated ERA and WHIP. This year he has much more control with his fastball, which has led to more strikeouts and improved stats all-round. He has only walked 2 batters in 11.1 innings and has a 0.62 WHIP, 1.59 ERA, 15.88 K/9, and has converted 8 out of 9 saves.

    • Key Hitters

    Boston Red Sox: Hanley Ramirez

    2017 Season (20 Games): .253/.314/.404, 3 HR, 11 RBI

    Career vs Baltimore Orioles (41 Games): .286/.358/.513, 10 HR, 36 RBI

    Hanley has hit all three of his home runs in the last six games. Power has been lacking from the Red Sox lineup and Hanley needs to step in and provide it. He is now tied with Pablo Sandoval for the team lead in home runs with only 3. Look for Hanley to continue to hit for power against the Orioles. He has hit 10 career home runs in just 41 games against them.

    Baltimore Orioles: Adam Jones

    2017 Season (23 Games): .279/.343/.639, 6 HR, 13 RBI

    Career vs Red Sox (158 Games): .284/.327/.477, 27 HR, 92 RBI

    Adam Jones has been a staple in the Orioles lineup for such a long time. He has hit exclusively out of the 2 spot in the batting order. In the last 15 days he has hit .333 with 2 HR, 7 RBI, and has scored 6 runs. Jones is important to the Orioles lineup because he provides protection for Machado. Also, he has a history of playing well against the Red Sox.

    Next: No need to panic after uneven month of April

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

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