Series Preview: Baltimore @ Sox

Baltimore Orioles (17-18)
AL EAST: 7 GB (t2nd) STREAK: WON 3
AVG: .262 (7th in AL) ERA: 4.36 (8th)

Pitching Matchups:

GM1 FRI,7:Burres (0-1, 3.71) vs. Tavarez (1-3, 6.48)
GM2 SAT,1:Traschel (1-3, 3.70) vs. Schilling (4-1, 3.28)
GM3 SUN,2:Guthrie (2-1, 4.64) vs. Beckett (7-0, 2.51)

KEY PLAYERS:

• Miguel Tejada: .329, 2HR, 17 RBI- even though his power numbers are down (hmm, is he smaller, too?), Miggy is still leading the team in batting and is always a dangerous out
• Melvin Mora: .246/5/20- this steady vet leads the Birds in homers and RBI
• Nick Markakis: .235/4/20- this promising young player is experiencing a sophomre slump at the plate but is still tied for team lead in RBI & 2nd in homers
• Aubrey Huff: .269/4/16-the D-Rays castoff may have found a home in the Inner Harbor, but he is still a mediocre major league player
• Erik Bedard: 3-2, 4.79, 56 Ks- young ace leads the team in wins and strikeouts despite high ERA; won't face Sox this weekend

OLD SOX:

• Kevin Millar: .247/3/12- one of the original idiots, Millah is in his second season in B-More and is still is usual self- that is contributing occasional big hits, providing a veteran prescense, and keeping the clubhouse loose & supplied with Grey Goose
• Scott Williamson: 1-0, 1.80 ERA in 5IP- the 8-year vet of the championship team is currently on the DL with a triceps injury
• Chad Bradford: 0-1, 2.90, 6 holds- sidearming member of the 2005 team has appeared in 20 of the O's 35 games

The Birds come to Fenway riding a 3-game mini-streak; all three wins came against the D-Rays, at home, so take that for what it's worth. But the "streak" has vaulted the O's into second place, seven games behind the Sox and tied with the Stankees in the .500 free-for-all that is taking place below Boston.

Meanwhile the Sox are one of the hottest teams in the league, winners of 7 of 8 and 11 of 14, and they are doing it with both offense and pitching. The Boston staff currently owns the second-best ERA in the AL (3.17) and the second-most quality starts in the majors (21), and the team is second in the league in batting average (.275). They are coming off a three-game dismantling of the Blue Jays, and have proven to be getting better as the season progresses, plus they've already taken a pair from Baltimore, outscoring the Birds 11-3.

The way I see it, the first game is basically a toss-up. Tavarez has pitched well, almost good enough to shed his "Gascan" label, and he is being opposed by B-More greenhorn, Brian Burres. The rookie lefty took Adam Loewen's spot in the rotation a week ago and allowed 5 runs in 2 2/3 vs. Cleveland in his first ML start on Sunday; like I said, this one could go either way, but I'll take Julie over the rook.

Game 2 looks to be another one in Boston's pocket as the suddenly streaking Schill, who's allowed three runs or less in each of his last three starts. He'll face veteran Steve Traschel, who has pitched well despite his record (1-3, 3.70) in his first season in Baltimore, but has gotten little run support. I like my fellow blogger in this one.

Sunday's game 3 is a no-brainer, right? Major League wins leader versus Jeremy Don't call me Arlo Guthrie, a 3rd-year righty with a career 2-1 record in 24 appearances. On paper that spells blowout, but Beckett's gotta falter sometime this year, and maybe the youngster has icewater in his veins and pulls the...

...yeah right. Becks will tie the Sox mark of 8-straight wins to open the season, and the Sox will put Baltimore in its place and add another series sweep to the season collection.

Sox Sweep!