Boston @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Jun 15, 2013 ) Boston 5, Baltimore 4
Jon Lester was brilliant during the first six weeks of the season, winning his first six decisions to help the Boston Red Sox move to the top of the American League East. The left-hander since has taken a 180-degree turn, going 0-3 over his last five outings and yielding at least four runs on four occasions. Lester enters Sunday's series finale at the Baltimore Orioles with history on his side - he is 14-1 with a 2.63 ERA in 21 lifetime starts against them.
The Orioles have recent history on their side against the Red Sox. They have won four of six meetings this year after dominating Boston by winning 13 of 18 in 2012. Baltimore will be seeking its sixth consecutive series victory over the Red Sox despite a 5-4 loss in Saturday's third game. Third baseman Manny Machado is 7-for-15 in the series and is riding a career-high 13-game hitting streak. Machado leads the majors in hits (97) and doubles (31).
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Jon Lester (6-3, 4.12 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Miguel Gonzalez (4-2, 3.71)
Lester's struggles continued in his last outing at Tampa Bay, when he was tattooed for a season-high seven runs in a season-low 4 2/3 innings. His inability to keep the ball in the park has been a big reason for his troubles, surrendering five homers in his last two outings. Despite his spectacular record versus the Orioles, Lester was 0-1 in three starts against them last season.
Gonzalez, conversely, started out slow in the first month but has ramped up his performances over his last five outings. He has won back-to-back starts, including going a season-high eight innings last time out against the Los Angeles Angels - giving up one run on four hits. Gonzalez has surrendered 10 runs in his last five turns, limiting the opposition to one run three times.
WALK-OFFS
1. Machado also leads the majors with 28 multiple-hit games, including four in a row.
2. Boston's Mike Carp has homered in four of his last seven games and is batting .320.
3. Gonzalez is 2-0 with a 2.76 ERA in three career starts against Boston.
PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Red Sox 3