Craig Breslow (0-3, 4.53 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox (73-80) go up against Wei-Yin Chen (10-7, 3.36 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles (76-77) in the second of a three-game division series at Fenway Park. The Red Sox won the last game 7-0 and Boston leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 4:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sep. 26 and will air on NESN, MASN and MLBN.
In his last start, Breslow pitched 1.0 innings, allowing zero runs and striking out one in a 5-2 loss to the Rays. David Ortiz (.270, 70 Rs, 36 HRs, 104 RBIs) played well again yesterday, going 3 for 4 with one run and three RBIs. The Orioles were victorious over the Rays 2-1 the last time Chen pitched. He went 7.0 innings, giving up one run and striking out seven.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Red Sox have an SU record of 29-40 against teams in their division.
Against teams in their division, the Orioles are 34-32 SU. Baltimore’s pitching staff tends to perform poorly when they play division rivals. They’ve allowed an average of 4.7 runs per game against teams from the AL East, higher than their season average of 4.2.
The Orioles have gotten the better of the Red Sox in head-to-head matchups this season, going 11-6. The Red Sox will take on a left-hander (Chen) in this game and have a 20-23 record against left-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Orioles will be the left-hander Breslow. They sport a 22-20 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – Bos
Notes
Boston earned its eighth shutout of the season in its last game. Baltimore has been shut out 10 times this season.
The Red Sox are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Orioles have a 21-28 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Orioles are 13-58. The Red Sox have a 15-66 record when opponents outhit them.
Boston ranks in the top half of the league at 15th when it comes to home runs, hitting 150 this season. Baltimore ranks in the top five at fourth with 204.
Ranking 12th, Baltimore is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.51 per game. Boston ranks in the top five at third with 9.32.
Ranking 15th, Baltimore is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.727). Boston ranks in the top five at fifth with an OPS of .745.
When the Orioles allow at least one home run, they are 43-56. When the Red Sox allow one or more homers, they have a 37-64 record.
