Boston @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Jul 27, 2013 ) Boston 7, Baltimore 3
The Boston Red Sox seem to have regained their offensive prowess, but they're still trying to reclaim their spot atop the American League East as they wrap up a three-game road series against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. The Red Sox evened the series with a 7-3 win Saturday, remaining a half-game behind division-leading Tampa Bay. Baltimore is 4 1/2 games back and reportedly looking to make a move for another veteran starting pitcher ahead of Wednesday's non-waiver trading deadline.
Boston hopes left-hander Jon Lester can resume his dominance of the Orioles - he is 14-2 with a 2.86 ERA in 22 starts against them, but has lost his last two decisions against them. Baltimore will try to get right-hander Jason Hammel his first win since May 27, a span of nine starts. The Orioles have won six straight series against Boston dating to May 21-23, 2011, when the Red Sox took two of three in Baltimore.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, TBS, NESN (Boston), MASN (Batlimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Jon Lester (9-6, 4.50 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Jason Hammel (7-7, 5.20)
Lester began the second half with a strong outing, holding Tampa Bay to two runs over 6 1/3 innings to end a two-start losing streak. The 29-year-old went through a rough patch in June but has recorded quality starts in three of his four outings this month. Despite his stellar career numbers against the Orioles, Lester lost to them in the first meeting this year - allowing five runs in as many innings June 16.
Hammel recorded his first quality start in nearly a month in his last outing, allowing three runs over six innings in a loss at Kansas City - but it wasn't enough to snap his drought. The 30-year-old is 0-5 with a 5.47 ERA in nine outings since his last victory. Hammel is 1-2 with a 4.81 ERA in 11 games (five starts) against Boston.
WALK-OFFS
1. Red Sox DH David Ortiz, whose seven-game hitting streak ended when he was ejected after two hitless at-bats Saturday, is 6-for-14 with a homer against Hammel.
2. C Matt Wieters is the rare member of the Orioles who has enjoyed success versus Lester. He is 14-for-37 with three doubles and a triple against him.
3. Baltimore 1B Chris Davis is hitting .213 with 36 strikeouts in July and has fanned in 21 consecutive games dating to July 2. Davis is 2-for-16 with three strikeouts against Lester.
PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Orioles 4