Boston @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( May 1, 2010 ) Boston 9, Baltimore 12
With the Boston Red Sox sinking back below the .500 mark with two consecutive defeats to baseball’s worst team, Josh Beckett needs to start pitching like an ace.
Boston is 4-1 when the right-hander takes the mound, but not because he has been his usual dominant self. In fact, the former World Series MVP is off to one of the worst statistical starts of his career.
The thing about a talent like Beckett is it can turn around the next time he steps on the mound. And that chance comes today at Camden Yards against the Orioles, off to a 6-18 start.
Beckett has been overpowering in his career but hasn’t flashed much of that form this season with just two quality starts in five games. His problems – too many hits and walks – came to a head the last time he took the mound.
He lasted just three innings against Toronto after giving up nine hits and eight earned runs with three walks and three strikeouts. His ERA is sitting at 7.22 in 28 2/3 innings.
The competitor in Beckett means he is more than likely to come out against the Orioles, one of the game’s weakest-hitting teams, and throw a gem.
If the Red Sox, who already trail Tampa Bay by six games in the American League East, are going to start playing more consistently, Beckett needs to be part of that equation.
So does designated hitter David Ortiz. This is the third year in the row the former MVP candidate has struggled at the outset and critics have been clamoring for a lineup change.
Ortiz showed some signs of getting out of the funk Saturday with two solo home runs in a 12-9 defeat, but the overall numbers are ugly - .167 batting, three home runs and six RBIs.
Boston manager Terry Francona might be giving Ortiz too long of a leash, although he has pinch-hit for him on a couple of occasions already this season.
Ortiz will attempt to build on his two-homer game against Baltimore’s Kevin Millwood, who is winless in five starts despite a solid 3.38 ERA.
The Orioles are beginning to get on a good streak after taking the first two games of the series, but Ty Wigginton has been hot steady all season.
The second baseman hit two home runs to continue his fantastic start that has him hitting .324 with eight homers, 14 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .413.