Sunday’s win over the Athletics was thrilling, marking just the fourth ever Red Sox win after trailing by 4+ runs in the 8th inning or later while being held scoreless, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Now, the Red Sox head south to take on the Orioles in a short, 3-game roadtrip Tuesday to Thursday. Scheduled for Boston are Eduardo Rodriguez, Rick Porcello, and Wade Miley for the three starts.
Eduardo Rodriguez
For lefty Rodriguez it could be a historic start. At 22 years, 63 days old he could become the youngest pitcher to win his first three MLB appearances since the Cardinals Andy Rincon. No lefthander, regardless of age, has won his first 3 big league games since the Dodgers Kazuhisa Ishii won his first 6 in 2002.
The Orioles are last in the American League East this season vs lefty pitchers like Rodriguez, going 5-6 on the season.
Rodriguez will be matched up against Orioles righty Miguel Gonzalez, who has been winless in his last 3 starts. He’s 2-1 with a 3.19 ERA in his last 5 starts against the Red Sox. Hanley Ramirez, Pablo Sandoval, Mookie Betts, Brock Holt, and recently acquired (and former Oriole) Alejandro De Aza, all have .300+ lifetime batting averages facing Gonzalez, though the sample sizes are relatively small.
The Orioles have Wei-Yin Chen and Chris Tillman scheduled fo the remainder of the series.
Long histories
For all time the Sox are 1,175-975 against the Orioles and lead them 544-537 in Baltimore. Though the Red Sox trail in the season set 3-4 presently, they’re 108-81 overall in the past 10 years since 2006, including 53-41 against the Orioles while on the road. The Red Sox’ overall mark against the Orioles over the past 10 seasons is their 4th best mark against any AL club. That said, the last three season series (2012-14) have all gone to the Orioles: 5-13, 8-11, 8-11, respectively.
Sox at Camden Yards
Of the current roster David Ortiz has the most games (97), hits (96), runs scored (53), and walks (60) at Camden Yards. Ortiz’ 73 RBI at Camden Yards are the 10th most among all active MLB players.
Boston’s highest scoring game there was a 18-10 win on August 2, 2009. They’ve been shut out 8 times at the hands of the Orioles in Baltimore, including twice in the past two seasons.