Baltimore @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 8, 2013 ) Baltimore 1, Boston 3

The Boston Red Sox are off to an impressive start, thanks primarily to the tandem of Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz at the top of the starting rotation. The big question for the Red Sox is how the rest of their starters will hold up, a situation that became murkier when John Lackey had to leave his season debut with a right biceps strain. Off-season acquisition Ryan Dempster takes the mound Wednesday in the second of a three-game series versus the visiting Baltimore Orioles.

A hot start has given way to a three-game losing streak for the Orioles, who have scored only four runs in their last two games after piling up 34 in the first five contests. Chris Davis was a one-man wrecking ball through the first four games, swatting four homers and knocking in 16 of his 17 runs. Baltimore has received great production from the middle of its order, but the rest of the lineup has yet to hit. The Orioles had five hits in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Red Sox.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Jake Arrieta (0-0, 9.00 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Ryan Dempster (0-1, 5.40)

Arrieta allowed five runs and seven hits in five innings, including four runs on three straight two-out hits in one inning against Minnesota on Friday. He did not receive a decision, though, in the Orioles' 9-5 loss. Arrieta has had little success versus Boston, losing all three decisions in five appearances (four starts) while giving up six homers in 24 innings.

Dempster, who spent his entire career in the National League until he was shipped to the Texas Rangers at last year's trade deadline, was shaky in his Red Sox debut. He got through only five innings in a 4-2 loss to the New York Yankees, surrendering a home run and walking four in only five innings. He turned in a strong performance against the Orioles last August, giving up one run on four hits in eight innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox CF Jacoby Ellsbury is 2-for-5 with two homers against Arrieta.

2. Orioles SS J.J. Hardy is 2-for-27 with seven strikeouts against Dempster.

3. After going 29-9 in one-run games a year ago, Baltimore has already lost three one-run games and one two-run decision.

PREDICTION: Orioles 6, Red Sox 5