First Pitch: Tuesday 7:10, Wednesday 7:10, Thursday 7:10
Arms: Tuesday: Jason Hammel, RHP (6-2 3.06 ERA) vs. Jon Lester, LHP (3-4, 4.79 ERA)
Wednesday: Wei-Yin Chen, LHP (4-2, 3.75 ERA) vs. Josh Beckett, RHP (4-5, 4.26 ERA)
Thursday: Brian Matusz, LHP (5-5, 4.41 ERA) vs. Clay Buchholz, RHP (5-2, 6.58 ERA)
The Matchup
Last time
The Red Sox went into Baltimore 2 weeks ago and took 2 out of 3 from the Orioles. Will Middlebrooks had a great game 1, going 3-for-5 with 3 singles and an RBI. Brian Matusz held the Sox to just 1 run on 2 hits in the Orioles's game 2 win. The Red Sox won another close one to take the series behind a trio of home runs from Nava, Podsednik, and Shoppach. Starting pitching wasn't great, as Valentine had to go to the bullpen 10 times in the series.
This time
Laser Show: Adrian Gonzalez
Don't Fall Behind: Brian Matusz
Hammel is Baltimore's best pitcher in the series, but Matusz shut the Red Sox down in their last meeting. Matusz allowed just 2 hits, 1 run, and struck out 9 over 6 1/3.
How we see it goin' down
The Orioles are starting to fall down the ranks in the division. The Orioles are 3-10 since the Red Sox went into Baltimore, so the Sox have the upper hand in momentum going into this series. As long as the Red Sox can strike first, they will come out with a series sweep.
