Series Preview: Orioles @ Red Sox, 04/17-04/20

by Scott Christ on Apr 16, 2009 12:47 AM EDT in Pre-Game

The good news? Boston is really struggling. The bad news? We go into this series off of a 19-6 loss in Arlington, though we do get a day off.

Friday, 7:10 PM: Jeremy Guthrie v. Brad Penny

Brad Penny has thrown almost 1500 innings in the majors but has never faced the Orioles. Guthrie was 1-2 (4.13/1.67) in four starts against Boston last year, and is 0-1 (3.93/1.64) in three career starts at Fenway.

A couple Orioles have beaten Penny up over their careers. Ty Wigginton is 7-for-18 (.389/.450/.611) with a homer, and Ryan Freel has hit 8-for-19 (.421/.522/.632) with two doubles and four RBIs. So if Freel starts tomorrow, you know why.

Others haven't done so well: Aubrey Huff is 0-for-7, ZAUN is 0-for-3, and Cesar Izturis is 1-for-8. Might be a day to stick Freel at short. Luke Scott is 2-for-3 against Penny.

Guthrie actually has pretty good numbers against most of the Red Sox, but David Ortiz has pounded him a bit (5-for-15 with four doubles and a homer).

Saturday, 7:10 PM: Adam Eaton v. Josh Beckett

Eaton has never faced Boston, but he has faced Josh Beckett plenty of times. Get this: Beckett is 4-for-8 with three doubles against Eaton. I say the Red Sox forfeit the DH and let Josh hit. Ortiz will need a day off.

Last year the O's put the wood to Beckett pretty well, hitting .311 off of him in three games and tacking a 5.60 ERA and 1.64 WHIP onto his total line. He also struck out a batter per inning (18 in 17.2 IP). He's 4-2 (3.73/1.14) in nine career starts against the Birds.

Three O's have some really big numbers against Beckett: Wigginton (8-for-22, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 1.300 OPS), Brian Roberts (8-for-26, four doubles, HR, 4 RBI, 4-for-4 SB) and Luke Scott (5-for-8, HR, 3 RBI, 1.700 OPS).

Beckett was suspended for six games for a pitch that nearly hit Bobby Abreu in the head, but he's appealing, so he'll pitch. (Dig the Sox and Angels fans having a spat!)

Sunday, 1:35 PM: Koji Uehara v. Jon Lester

This one could be rough. Koji was decent in his debut against the Yankees, but the Rangers really beat him up pretty hard in Arlington. Here he'll be facing a lineup that can mash in his first trip to Fenway Park, and he'll be facing a guy that is on his way to becoming the Boston version of Andy Pettitte. Lester is 6-0 in eight starts against the Orioles career (2.81/1.40). Last year he was 3-0 in five starts (2.70/1.33).

Monday, 11:05 AM: TBD

With Alfredo Simon out, who knows who this will be for the O's? Daisuke Matsuzaka is on the DL with "mild arm fatigue." It'll probably be Justin Masterson, or maybe Tim Wakefield.

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I think Hendrickson will probably pitch on Monday (on a full 4 days rest because of the off day), and the Orioles will have to conjure up a starter for Tuesday. If Bergesen is that guy, I’d rather have him make his major league debut against the White Sox at home rather than the Red Sox in Fenway.

I think the best we can hope for in this series is a split. Friday is definitely the best pitching matchup for the O’s, and they have a chance on Sunday if Lester continues to struggle and Uehara puts in a quality start. The Eaton/Hendrickson games will be ugly.

by dkdc on Apr 16, 2009 10:11 AM EDT reply actions

I'll be in the RF Fenway bleachers tomorrow night

Throwback hat, Jones number tee, Roberts jersey and a few layers of fleece. Word.

"Believe it or not, I read the paper." - Nick Markakis

by 2632 on Apr 16, 2009 8:59 PM EDT reply actions

credit to roch...

from his q & a a very down the line answer on bergesen:

Are the Orioles waiting until later this summer to recall Brad Bergesen so his arbitration clock doesn’t start this year?

That has nothing to do with it. No offense to Bergesen, who was the organization’s minor league Pitcher of the Year in 2008 and one of the most impressive hurlers in camp this spring, but we shouldn’t be talking about him like he’s Greg Maddux. If we’re playing dress-up, Wieters can be Johnny Bench. But Bergesen isn’t the top pitching prospect in this organization, let alone baseball. He’s not even in the Orioles’ top three, though he’s the closest to being major league ready. He’s polished, he works quickly, he throws strikes, he fields his position. There’s a lot to like about him. But arbitration clocks don’t come into play here.

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Apr 17, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions