Baltimore Orioles series preview vs the Boston Red Sox

Apr 23, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jorge Mateo (3) celebrates after scoring the tying run against the Detroit Tigers
Apr 23, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jorge Mateo (3) celebrates after scoring the tying run against the Detroit Tigers | Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

Following a series sweep of the Detroit Tigers at home, the Baltimore Orioles stay at home and welcome an AL East Foe in the Boston Red Sox to Camden Yards for three games. The Orioles have lost both series they've played against AL East teams this season.

Baltimore Orioles host AL East Rival Boston Red Sox after series sweep

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT

The Red Sox are coming off a weekend series win against the Milwaukee Brewers and are winners of three of their last five games. Their offense has had some great games, with Rafael Devers serving as the AL home run leader. Masataka Yoshida, Jarren Duran, and Kiké Hernández have been swinging particuarly hot bats for the Red Sox as of late, while Yu Chang has also come on with the bat. The Orioles will need to swing it right with the Red Sox to compete with them.

SEASON SERIES

Last season, the Red Sox took 10 of the 19 games with the Orioles, giving them the season series win. So far in 2023, the Red Sox have won two of three games, facing off with the Orioles to start the season at Fenway Park.

PITCHING PROBABLES

Monday, 4/24: Chris Sale vs Dean Kremer

The series opener pits Sale against Kremer. Sale has had a rocky start to the season this year, with a 8.00 ERA across 18 innings pitched in four starts. It is worth noting that his last start was a one run, 11 strikeout gem over six innings against the Minnesota Twins.

Like Sale, Kremer has had plenty of bumps to start his season. Also like Sale, Kremer is coming off his best start of the year. Kremer pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings in a 1-0 Orioles win over the Washington Nationals in the Beltway Series.

Tuesday, 4/25: Corey Kluber vs Kyle Bradish

The middle game pits Kluber against Bradish. Kluber, who started against Kyle Gibson on opening day, has had a rocky first season in Boston, with a 8.50 ERA in 18 innings across four starts. This is a pitcher that the Orioles can and have hit around this season.

Bradish is coming off his first completed start of the season after an unlucky injury. He pitched six shutout innings in a 4-0 Orioles win to complete a two game Beltway Series sweep, striking out six hitters and allowing five hits and a walk.

Wednesday, 4/26: TBD vs Tyler Wells

FanGraphs has the projected starter for Boston as Tanner Houck, while the Orioles have confirmed Wells as the starter. Houck has been one of the better performers in the Boston rotation, with a 4.29 ERA over 21 innings pitched, making four starts. He pitched seven innings in his last outing, the longest start of his career.

Wells is entering his fourth start and fifth appearance of the season. His last start came in the series opener against the Tigers on Friday, dealing seven scoreless innings with five strikeouts in a 2-1 win for the Orioles. He has a 2.70 ERA over 23 1/3 innings so far this season.

This series is a golden opportunity for the Orioles to win their first series against an AL East opponent this season and to keep their recent run of success, a five game win streak, rolling as we enter the final week of April. Let's play ball!

Schedule