Baltimore @ Boston preview
Fenway Park
Last Meeting ( Apr 24, 2010 ) Baltimore 6, Boston 7
The clock is ticking for 43-year-old Tim Wakefield.
The Boston Red Sox knuckleballer could potentially be making the final start of his career today against the Baltimore Orioles. Wakefield is headed to the bullpen when Daisuke Matsuzaka returns to the starting rotation this week.
The Orioles, 2-21 against the Red Sox in their last 23 games, will try to avoid a sweep in the finale of this weekend series at Fenway Park.
In addition to their own issues – a struggling bullpen and lack of offense – the biggest obstacle in avoiding that sweep could be Wakefield. This might be his last shot to show he still has starting power.
Wakefield’s problem is that after a decent 2010 debut (two runs allowed in seven innings against Kansas City, he has gotten worse with each of his last two starts. He gave up five runs in 5 1/3 innings in a loss to Minnesota and six earned runs in six innings against Texas last time out.
If there is one game where he can turn his fortunes around, it’s facing the hapless Orioles.
If he can work his knuckleball magic it could be a long day for Baltimore. The magic has certainly worked in the past against the Orioles. Wakefield has a 15-13 record and 4.10 ERA in his career against Baltimore.
Another item in his favor could be opposing hard-luck pitcher David Hernandez, who takes the mound today for the Orioles. He has pitched well enough in his three starts to get a win but the lack of offensive support has kept him winless so far.
The Orioles have scored a total of three runs for him in the three games he’s pitched. In fact, he hasn’t won in his last 12 starts for the Orioles dating to his last win against Oakland in August 2009.
And like most of the Orioles pitching staff, he hasn’t fared all that well against Boston. Hernandez is 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA in four starts against the Red Sox.
Boston’s goal was to get on a hot streak in this series and turn around its own fortunes in an attempt to climb back to a .500 record. With two wins in their pocket, the Red Sox have moved within two games of .500 at 8-10.
The bats came alive Saturday in a 7-6, come-from-behind win for the Red Sox with Marco Scutaro and Kevin Youkilis each belting three-run homers and Jason Varitek adding a solo blast.
The key for Boston today will be how Wakefield pitches while knowing it could be his last start, at least until one of the other starters suffers an injury.
Even if he is relegated to bullpen duty, it could be a good thing for Wakefield, who also has some decent numbers as a reliever. He is 10-13 with a 3.75 ERA in 62 career relief appearances.