Sept. 9—After disappointing results for both teams over the weekend, the Baltimore Orioles visit the Boston Red Sox as the American League East rivals begin their final head-to-head race on Monday.
Baltimore (82-62) has lost back-to-back weekend series against Tampa Bay, including a 2-0 defeat on Sunday, its sixth shutout loss of the season.
“It’s been a real challenge since the All-Star break,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “Tough time offensively. Guys were swinging a little frustrated and under pressure. Trying to swing too much, too much, too big.”
The Orioles are 3-3 in their last six home games. They are 24-24 since the All-Star break.
Hyde’s team hit just .163 in the recently concluded series against Tampa Bay.
Cedric Mullins had two of the team’s five hits on Sunday, his third multi-hit game in six games.
Despite those struggles, the New York Yankees lost one game over the weekend, leaving Baltimore just a half-game back of the AL East lead.
“Baseball is a tough sport, but I thought our guys did a really good job of staying grounded and understanding it and getting ready for the next day,” catcher Adley Rutschman said.
Baltimore left-hander Cade Povich (2-7, 5.76 ERA) is looking to make the longest start of his young career, which would be his 13th start and second against Boston.
Povich struck out a career-high 10 batters and pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings in the Orioles’ 9-0 win over the White Sox on Tuesday.
The Red Sox (72-71) had a chance to beat the weak Chicago White Sox to start their current six-game homestand, but they lost 7-2 on Sunday thanks to five runs in the ninth inning.
In Boston head coach Alex Cora’s opinion, this is a must-win game not only because of Chicago’s record (33-111) but also because of the intensity of the playoff race.
“They have some capable guys, but you have to win,” Cora said. “We’re in this position because we fought for a month and a half. We have to win.”
That will be the message as the Red Sox look to step up their offensive line.
The visitors could only muster home runs from Connor Wong and Wilier Abreu in the series finale after scoring more than three runs for the first time in six games in Saturday’s 7-5 win.
“We’re already in a tough spot and we obviously have to play well, but it makes us more focused on these types of games,” Boston first baseman Tristan Casas said.
The Red Sox will hand the ball to 25-year-old Brayon Bello (12-7, 4.75), whose start was pushed back a day to give Tanner Houck some extra rest.
On August 28, Bello was shut out by Toronto while allowing two hits in eight innings, and on September 2 against the New York Mets, Bello struggled, losing five innings.
Bello is 3-2 with a 3.71 ERA in five career starts against Baltimore, including two road wins this season.
On August 17, the Red Sox beat Povich, although he struck out six and allowed only two runs in 6 1/3 innings. Bello was Boston’s winner that day, giving up two hits in six innings.
–Visual-level media
