Since beginning the season with a 6-1 record, the Orioles have lost 11 of their last 13 and fallen to the AL East cellar. After winning their first two series of the season against the Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers, the Orioles have gone 0-4-1 in their last five series, including being swept by the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees (twice).
The Orioles will send rookie Zach Britton to the mound tonight. Britton has gone 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA in his first four big league starts. This will be a tough test for the rookie left hander against the formidable Red Sox lineup. He was able to hold the Tampa Bay Rays and the Texas Rangers to one run and zero runs respectively in his first two big league starts, but has given up eight runs in his last twelve innings against the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins. He has struggled slightly with his control as he has walked three batters in three of his four starts this season. Britton cannot allow these free passes to the Red Sox tonight, or they will take advantage of those opportunities. Because he is a ground ball pitcher, Britton can work himself out of jams by inducing the double play, but I think everyone will agree it's better to avoid those situations.
The Boston Red Sox opened their season by dropping their first six games, but have gone 10-5 since then and have won eight of their last nine games. Trailing the Yankees by three games, they are currently in third in the AL East with a 10-11 record. They are coming off a series sweep of the Angels in Los Angeles over the weekend, and have won five straight road games after dropping their first seven away from Fenway Park.
Clay Buchholz takes the mound tonight for the Red Sox. He is 1-2 with a 5.31 ERA in four starts this season. After giving up three or more runs in his first three starts, Buchholz held the Oakland Athletics to one run over 5 1/3 innings in his last start to earn his first win of the season. Over his last two starts Buchholz has struggled with his control walking nine over 10 1/3 innings. Buchholz has been quite successful against the Orioles in his career going 5-2 with a 2.98 ERA in eight starts and one relief appearance. He is also the last opposing pitcher to toss a no-hitter against the Birds as he did it in 2007, his rookie season. In two starts against the Orioles last year Buchholz went 1-0 and held the Orioles scoreless over 15 innings.
More to come before tonight's first pitch, including lineups, a look at the Orioles career numbers against Buchholz, and some game notes.
No comments:
Post a Comment