Baltimore @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 10, 2013 ) Baltimore 8, Boston 5

The Boston Red Sox had a lot of questions entering the 2013 season, but the bullpen was not among them. After a pair of shaky appearances by closer Joel Hanrahan, the Red Sox might have to address the back of their bullpen before closing out a three-game series against the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. Hanrahan allowed a home run before earning a save in the home opener Monday and was reached for five runs in the ninth Wednesday.

The burly right-hander was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the off-season to close, but Boston has plenty of options with Andrew Bailey, Junichi Tazawa and Koji Uehara around if Hanrahan needs a few days off. The Orioles, who made a living with late comebacks and close victories en route to the playoffs last season, have carried the never-say-die attitude over to 2013. Manny Machado played the hero with a three-run go-ahead homer in the ninth in Wednesday’s 8-5 win after Chris Davis started the rally with a solo blast.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Chris Tillman (0-0, 12.27 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Alfredo Aceves (0-0, 10.38)

Tillman solidified his spot in the starting rotation with a strong performance last season but got off to a rough start in 2013 when he was reached for five runs on seven hits in a no-decision against Minnesota. The right-hander, who turns 25 on Monday, struggled with his command and issued four walks to the Twins. Tillman had one of the best starts of his career at Fenway Park on Sept. 28, allowing an unearned run on one hit over eight innings to earn a win. He is 1-1 with a 2.88 ERA in five career starts against Boston.

Aceves is taking over the rotation spot of John Lackey (biceps), who was placed on the disabled list Monday. Aceves has pitched in nearly every role on the staff in his time with the Red Sox and began the season allowing five runs over 4 1/3 total innings in two appearances out of the bullpen at New York and Toronto. He is 2-1 with a 4.18 ERA in nine career starts and has gone 5-2 while posting a 2.31 mark in 25 career appearances - one start - against Baltimore.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston SS Stephen Drew made his season debut Wednesday and went 0-for-4 after beginning the campaign on the disabled list with a concussion.

2. Baltimore top prospect RHP Dylan Bundy (elbow) has been playing catch pain free and will begin a throwing program Thursday.

3. Red Sox DH David Ortiz (Achilles) will begin a minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Orioles 6, Red Sox 4