The Baltimore Orioles are in the midst of a nine-game road trip, in which they are currently 5-1, having won five straight. Now they are on the opposite side of the country, preparing to play the division rival Boston Red Sox for a three-game series.
After scoring just two runs to start the trip, the Orioles have scored 36 runs over those last five games (7.2/game), showing what the seventh best scoring offense can do at the plate.
It’s not just the offense that is clicking. Despite some rough starts, the bullpen has been almost lights out on the road trip. Over 21 innings, the bullpen has allowed just seven runs (3.00 ERA), with four of them coming in the Orioles’ 5-4 win over the Angels on Tuesday.
Coincidentally, Austin Hays has been the catalyst on this road trip, as he is slashing .409/.417/.636 over the first six games of the trip. Hays has a home run, two doubles, five RBIs and has scored six times. The Orioles have a lineup that can have any one player carry the team on a given night.
Against the Red Sox, who the Orioles are 3-3 on the season with, the Birds will send out Kyle Bradish (10-6, 3.03 ERA) to open the series. Bradish is 0-4 in six games with a 9.36 ERA in his career against the Red Sox. He will be followed by Jack Flaherty (8-8, 4.84 ERA) and Grayson Rodriguez (5-3, 4.91 ERA) to close the series.
The Red Sox will counter with Tanner Houck (4-8, 5.07 ERA), Chris Sale (6-3, 4.46 ERA) and Brayen Bello (11-8, 3.61 ERA).
BATTERY ❌-FACTOR
With 23 games left to play, the stakes are high for the Orioles. They currently have a four-game lead in the division while holding the top spot in the AL and second best record in the majors.
The target on their back is huge going into the final stretch. This is why team’s overall focus is going to be the BATTERY ❌-FACTOR this series.
The Orioles have struggled against Boston this season, as they are 3-3 with seven games remaining. They have a huge home stand coming up where they will play Tampa Bay for four, which could go a long way towards tipping the division one way or the other.
The Red Sox have an outside chance at a Wild Card and will gladly be looking to knock off the young Birds in each game they have against Baltimore. The young Birds will need to be on top of their game and remain focused on each game and not scoreboard watching. Take care of business, and the rest will fall in place.
GAME 1 STARTING LINEUP
The Orioles/Red Sox series will start tonight at 7:10 p.m. EST and will be followed by a 4:35 p.m. EST start time on Saturday and a 1:35 p.m. EST start time on Sunday.
Two teams fighting for the postseason and a division rivalry on top of it. This is what the postseason stretch run is all about. Make sure to tune in to MASN or your local Orioles Radio Network station.
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