Series Preview

Boston (15-7) at Baltimore (11-9)
GM 1 WED: Schilling (2-1, 3.81) vs. Cabrera (1-1, 4.10)
GM 2 THU: Beckett (4-0, 2.55) vs. Loewen (2-0, 3.72)

Another brief 2-game series before the Sox head to the Bronx; nothing like playing your division rivals 4 series in a row in the span of 10 days. Thanks, schedule makers.

After dropping a pair to the Blue Jays the Sox head to B'more to take on its current competition in the AL East, the red-hot Birds. The Orioles have been one of the biggest surprises of the season so far, climbing to an 11-7 record after sweeping those Jays over the weekend before dropping 2 straight to Oakland.

The Birds have been flying on the strength of contributions from veterans (Miguel Tejada, old friend Kevin Millar) and young hotshots (Nick Markakis, pitchers Loewen, Cabrera and closer Chris Ray.)

Cabrera will oppose Schilling tonight, who is trying to overcome a bad start for the second time on this young season. Last weekend against the Stanks, Schill coughed up 2 leads and allowed 5 runs on 8 hits in 7 innings while his ERA rose nearly a full run.

Cabrera is still only 25 and in his 3rd season, and although he has a lot to learn he can still be a dynamic, overpowering pitcher. However, confidence could be a problem as the young righty brings a 1-6 record with a 9,27 ERA against the Sox in eight career starts into this matchup.

That would bode well for the struggling, erratic Sox offense, but the Sox had a great track record against Roy Halladay, too, and look what he did to them last night.

This quick series is a good chance for Boston to get back on the winning track, put some distance between themselves and the Orioles, and gain some momentum before the grudge match rematch in the Bronx begins on Friday.

But why do I have the feeling that Millah will factor in to the Sox having a tough time in these two games?