In a gripping finale to their weekend series, two fierce AL East contenders go head-to-head in Charm City. The Boston Red Sox are on the road, set to face the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday afternoon in the concluding match of a four-game series. Baltimore kicked off the series with a strong 5-1 win, but the Red Sox rallied back with an impressive 12-10 victory in a high-scoring battle on Friday night. The stakes are high: Can the Red Sox secure a successful trip, or will the Orioles maintain their momentum in the race against the Yankees for the AL East title? This article reflects the situation before the outcome of Saturday’s game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Red Sox Aim for Wild Card Position
The Red Sox halted their two-game losing streak with a thrilling victory over the Orioles, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Entering Saturday with a record of 64-57, they sat third in the AL East, trailing the Yankees by eight games. Boston also found themselves 2.5 games short of the Royals, who currently occupy the final wild card spot in the American League playoff race. In Friday’s matchup, the Red Sox showcased their offensive prowess, collecting 14 hits. Jarren Duran contributed significantly with three runs and an RBI, while Masataka Yoshida added four RBIs. Home runs from Rafael Devers (26th), Duran (15th), David Hamilton (seventh), and Yoshida (eighth) propelled the team to victory. Brennan Bernardino started the game but did not factor into the decision, pitching two-thirds of an inning without allowing runs. Cooper Criswell (5-4) earned the win, pitching 3.1 innings in relief despite allowing six runs. Kenley Jansen closed out the game with a flawless ninth inning, marking his 23rd save of the season.
Kutter Crawford takes the mound for the Red Sox as he makes his 25th start of the season. With an 8-9 record and a 4.21 ERA, he has struck out 129 batters over 136.2 innings while allowing a league-high 27 home runs. In his last outing, he secured a win against the Rangers, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing four runs. Despite a challenging recent stretch with a 9.42 ERA over his last three starts, Crawford has experience against the Orioles, though he has struggled historically, holding a 0-2 record with a 6.97 ERA against them across five appearances.
Orioles Look to Regain AL East Dominance
The Orioles faced a setback in their quest for the AL East crown, having their two-game winning streak broken by the Red Sox. Coming into Saturday with a record of 72-51, they were just one game behind the Yankees for the top spot in the division and held the top wild card position in the American League, maintaining a seven-game lead over Boston. Despite a strong offensive showing with 17 hits on Friday, Baltimore fell short. Jackson Holliday stood out with four hits and three runs, while Ramon Urias contributed significantly with five RBIs, including a home run. Corbin Burnes struggled on the mound, allowing eight runs in a short outing.
Trevor Rogers is set to pitch for the Orioles, making his 25th start overall and fourth since being acquired from Miami. This season, he holds a 2-11 record with a 4.89 ERA and 92 strikeouts over 119.2 innings. Rogers faced a tough outing in his last start against the Nationals, giving up five runs over five innings. His recent performances have been disappointing, posting a 7.53 ERA in his last three starts. Against the Red Sox, Rogers has yet to find success, holding a 0-2 record with a 3.75 ERA in previous matchups. His performance at Oriole Park has also been lackluster, contributing to the team’s struggles.
Predictions for Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles
Friday’s game showcased the Red Sox’s ability to score in bunches, and they will look to build on that momentum. Rogers has faced challenges since joining the Orioles, particularly with his control issues, which have hindered his ability to pitch deep into games. With a trend of not reaching six innings in his last eight starts, his reliability is in question. While Crawford has had his own struggles, he has managed to secure wins recently. Based on the current form of both pitchers, the Red Sox appear to have the upper hand and may likely secure the win in this matchup.
