Orioles vs. Red Sox Series Preview (5/16 to 5/17)

The Orioles just took 2 out of 3 from the division leading Rays after sweeping a 3 game series from the Mariners. The Orioles go into their next 4 games against the Red Sox and Yankees with a 19-20 record and in the thick of the AL East. The Orioles are just 3.5 games back of the AL East leading Rays and despite an inconsistent bullpen and struggling offense they have managed to stay around .500 all season.
The Orioles have had their ups and downs, but their hitting may finally be starting to come around. They finally broke out Sunday against the Rays, scoring 8 runs and some of their hitters seem to be coming around. The difference has been the Orioles starting pitching though. The Orioles young rotation has been magnificent since their off day last Monday. The way the Orioles have been playing this last week reminds me of the way they played towards the end of last season. Their starters were giving the team quality starts day in and day out, while their hitting did enough to win games.

The Orioles have won 5 of their last 6 games and are 11-8 over their last 19 games. The Red Sox have been playing better since their terrible start, but still haven’t been reaching their expectations. The Red Sox roster is stacked, but if you look at the records the Orioles and Red Sox are playing at similar levels. Add in the fact that the Orioles will face two of the Red Sox worse starters and the Orioles have no reason not to win at least one of the two games against the Red Sox this series.

PITCHING MATCHUPS
Monday 5/16 – 7:10pm at Boston
Chris Tillman (2-3, 6.15) vs. Daisuke Matsuzaka (3-3, 4.64)
Chris Tillman pitched a strong game last time out after a disastrous outing. The Orioles still have no idea which pitcher will show up from game to game with Tillman. He faces a tough lineup, but if he wants to stay a part of the Orioles rotation he is going to have to deal with facing tough lineups. Pitching coach Marc Connor seemed happy with some of the adjustments mechanically Tillman made after getting pounded by the Royals two starts ago. Tillman responded with a great performance against his former team the Mariners. After Brad Bergesen pitched a complete game shutout, Tillman may be pitching for his roster spot. The Orioles can consider themselves lucky they get Dice K and Lackey this series and don’t have to face Lester.

Tuesday 5/17 – 7:10pm at Boston
Zach Britton (5-2, 2.42) vs. John Lackey (2-5, 8.01)
The Orioles best pitcher goes against the Red Sox worst pitcher. However, you play the games because the stats don’t matter once you step onto the field. Britton could come out and struggle, while Lackey could regain his old form and pitch a quality game. The Orioles need to take advantage of the struggling Lackey and give Britton an early lead. Britton pitched masterfully last game and got no run support. The Orioles need to pounce on the struggling Lackey early and let Britton relax and not worry about trying to be too perfect. Lackey is going to be trying a new windup in this start and the Orioles need to hit him early and not let him get his confidence up.

WHO’S HOT
Orioles:
Finally some of the Orioles hitters have gotten hot…

Vladimir Guerrero – Has been the Orioles most consistent hitter all season but is hitting .391 in his last 6 games.

Derrek Lee – Still not living up to his track record, but has 11 RBI’s in his last 17 games.

Nick Markakis – Looks like he is starting to heat up. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is back to hitting .290 or .300 by the time June comes around. In his last 10 games, Markakis is hitting .341.

Matt Wieters – Hitting .423 over a six game hitting streak.

J.J. Hardy – Robert Andino was playing very well in his absence and I honestly didn’t think Hardy would make too much of a difference when he came off the D.L. Well I was wrong…Hardy is 10 for 25 in his 6 games since coming off the disabled list with 2 home runs and 7 RBI’s.
The entire Orioles starting rotation has been hot.

Red Sox:

Adrian Gonzalez – 6 home runs and a .429 average in his last 6 games…enough said.

Jacoby Ellsbury – .379 average and .400 on base percentage in his last 6 games.

Dustin Pedroia – Hitting .348 in his last 23 at bats.

Matt Albers – The former Orioles reliever has 7 strike outs in his last 3 games for the Sox. Orioles fans know all too well that Albers can run hot and cold

WHO’s NOT

Orioles:
Luke Scott – In his last 6 games Scott is hitting just .211 with no home runs.

Brian Roberts – His struggles have continues hitting just .160 over his last 6 games.

Mark Reynolds – Fans expected the bad batting average, but this bad? Reynolds is hitting just .118 over his last 5 games. Add in only 4 home runs on the season and Reynolds needs to turn it around soon before he finds himself playing more games on the bench.

Red Sox:
John Lackey – Gave up 9 runs in 6.2 innings in his last start. Just hasn’t seemed to be the same pitcher since signing with the Red Sox.

Kevin Youkilis – Hitting .208 in his last 24 at bats.

Jed Lowrie – Starting to cool off after a hot start.

Carl Crawford – He has been struggling all season.

INJURY REPORT
Orioles:
Brian Matusz – 15 day D.L. – Pitching tonight in rehab start…could be back in the Orioles rotation by the end of May, giving the Orioles their number 2 starter on a rotation that doesn’t even seem to need another starter right now.

Justin Duchscherer – 60 day D.L. – Can return from disabled list at the end of May and is scheduled to pitch 3 innings in a simulated game on Wednesday. The way the Orioles rotation is shaping up now, Duchscherer may have to pitch out of the bullpen when he returns.

Red Sox:
Bobby Jenks – 15 day D.L.
Marco Scutaro – 15 day D.L.
Junichi Tazawa – 60 day D.L.
Dan Wheeler – 15 day D.L.