How we see it goin' down: Sox - Orioles series

First Pitch: Monday 7:05, Tuesday 7:05, Wednesday 12:35

Arms: Monday: Clay Buchholz, RHP (4-2, 7.77 ERA) vs. Tommy Hunter, RHP (2-2, 4.78 ERA)

Tuesday: Felix Doubront, LHP (4-1, 4.09 ERA) vs. Brian Matusz, LHP (3-4, 5.36 ERA)

Wednesday: Daniel Bard, RHP (3-5, 4.85 ERA) vs. Jake Arrieta, RHP (2-4, 4.72 ERA)

                           Yard: Oriole Park at Camden Yards   Watch it:  NESN  Hear it:  WEEI

The Matchup

Record: 20-21 (Last AL East)	Record: 27-15 (1st AL East)
On road: 11-10	At home: 12-9
Streak: Won 2	Streak: Lost 1
Leaders at the plate	Leaders at the plate
Average: Ortiz (.335)	Average: Jones (.308)
Homers: Ortiz (9)	Homers: Jones (14)
RBI: Ortiz (29)	RBI: Jones (29)
Leaders on the mound	Leaders on the mound
Wins: 3 tied (4)	Wins: Hammel (5)
ERA: Lester (3.95) | Miller (0.00)	ERA: Hammel (3.12) | Johnson (0.92)
K's: Doubront (44)	K's: Arrieta (51)

Last time

The Red Sox were swept in a 3-game series at the beginning of the month that I have mostly forgotten about. Adrian Gonzalez went 6-for-10 in the first 2 games before going 0-for-8 in the 17 inning, game 3 loss. It was a dark series for the Sox.

This time

Laser Show: Adrian Gonzalez & Mike Aviles

Mike Aviles had a huge series in Philly, hitting homers in 3 straight games, 2 of those to lead off the game. He has been streaky this season, and he is getting hot again.

We are all waiting for Adrian Gonzalez to get hot and he is so damn close. Gonzo finally hit his 3rd homer of the season, his first since April 17. He also hit Lee very well, proving he is close to getting hot and there is no better time than now.

Pitch Around: Adam Jones

I don't think there is any question about this. Adam Jones is tearing the cover off the ball and there seems to be nothing or no one that can stop him. All Jones needed was the Red Sox to get him started. Since game one of the first Sox/Orioles meeting (May 4), Jones has 22 hits, 8 homers, and 17 RBI. I fear what he will bring to the series.

Don't Fall Behind: Anyone

This pitching staff is not that great with the exception of closer, Jim Johnson. The Orioles lead the majors in home runs. The Sox need to take that away from them and give these pitchers much less breathing room. If the Red Sox let Baltimore pitching gain a slight advantage, this series will go by way of the last.

How we see it goin' down

The Red Sox are a much better team this time around and the Orioles are still surprisingly good. Red Sox pitching will be able to control the Baltimore offense this time and the Red Sox will keep up their winning ways and take 2 of 3.