Baltimore Orioles visit Fenway Park: Previewing the series

BOSTON, MA - MAY 4: Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles catches a fly ball hit by Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park on May 4, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 4: Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles catches a fly ball hit by Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park on May 4, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Orioles continue to fight their way toward the second Wild Card spot as they open up a three-game series at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox.

The Baltimore Orioles are coming off of the big walk-off win against the Oakland Athletics. Hopefully, they can use some momentum as they face the tough AL East leaders.

Fortunately, the Orioles dodged a bullet as they avoid Chris Sale, but they still will have to make it through Rick Porcello and Doug Fister. Both men are pitching well for the Sox.

The first game on Friday night will see Jeremy Hellickson facing Rick Porcello. The AL Cy Young winner has three wins and a 2.84 ERA in his last three starts. Hellickson has not seen the same success. In his last three starts, he has an ERA of 9.19 and a record of 0-2. Porcello certainly has the edge numerically, but several Orioles hitters have seen success against the 28-year-old right handed pitcher.

Porcello certainly has the edge numerically, but several Orioles hitters have seen success against the 28-year-old right handed pitcher. In fact, against the O’s in 2017, he has not had a win and the team has combined for a .375 average against him.

Saturday’s game will feature Kevin Gausman against Eduardo Rodriguez, who was on the DL earlier in the year. In his previous three starts, Rodriguez has a 3.71 ERA with no decisions. Gausman, who has been up and down all season, has a 1-2 record in his last two starts with an ERA of 6.06.

Buck Showalter has yet to announce the pitcher for Sunday’s game. The Red Sox have announced that Doug Fister will start. His last start, against the Cleveland Indians, was notable as he gave up a home run to start the game, but did not allow any hits for the rest of the game. Manny Machado and Chris Davis have both had success against Fister; both hitters have averaged over .400 against him.

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Even though the Red Sox have been one of the hottest teams in the month of August, the Orioles have players who can discombobulate at the plate and on the base paths. The Red Sox are 15-5 with three walk-off wins in August. The Orioles are 11-11 in August with two walk-off wins. Fortunately, the Orioles are coming off of a win against the Athletics, so they have some momentum coming from the walk-off win. The Red Sox lost their final game in Cleveland by a score of 6-13 as the Indians took advantage of Chris Sale actually having a bad day on the mound.

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Obviously, a three-game sweep in Fenway would be a great way to get through the inaugural Players’ Weekend. But, the fact that this is the Players’ Weekend, there should be fun had by the players.