ESPN Sunday Night Baseball: Orioles vs. Red Sox preview
By Joe Wedra
Apr 7, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (31) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Date: April 20, 2014
Time: 7:05 PM EST
Venue: Fenway Park
Starting Pitchers: Boston – Jake Peavy; Orioles – Ubaldo Jimenez
Radio: BOS – WEEI 93.7, WCEC 1490 AM; BAL WBAL 1090 AM
TV: ESPN
Tonight, we have a battle within the AL East as the Baltimore Orioles try to knock off the Boston Red Sox after the home team at Fenway pulled off a big 4-2 win yesterday.
The Red Sox will send Jake Peavy to the mound to try to get another deep start from a starter in the series. Yesterday, Felix Doubront had one of his best career outings against the O’s – Peavy will look to do the same tonight. He has picked up a quality start (six innings, three runs or less) in each of his three starts this season. On Tuesday, he stifled the White Sox offense, striking out eight batters over six innings and allowing just three hits.
Boston’s offense will look to hit with runners in scoring position early and often. The lineup wasn’t able to get much going yesterday aside from David Ortiz‘s mammoth homer to right field. Tonight, look for the young hitters to attempt to work deep into counts against Ubaldo Jimenez.
Jimenez has had a few rough outings for the Orioles this season. He’s currently 0-3 with a 7.31 ERA after his last start against Blue Jays. He allowed 10 hits to Toronto over 5.1 innings, giving up five runs including two homeruns. His first start of the season was against the Red Sox in a game where he also let up two home runs. His final line was: 6 innings, 5 hits, 4 earned runs, 3 walks, 6 strikeouts.
The Orioles offense has been very up-and-down on the season. Some games, “The Birds” will take a patient approach and fail to have productive at-bats. Others, Buck Showalter‘s squad will hit away early and often, translating to success throughout the game. With Peavy pitching, it should be interesting to see what the game plan is. In Peavy’s last start against the Orioles (Sept. 18., 2013), he allowed six hits and three runs.
The difference in this game will boil down to each team’s production with runners in scoring position. Can Baltimore plate runs with a strong middle of the lineup? Will Boston use their youth as a spark? It’s all happening tonight on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball!