Successful Road Trip
Following the offseason trades of their two top players, this was expected to be a rebuilding year for the Baltimore Orioles.
Their record 2 1/2 months into the season suggests otherwise.
The Orioles look to continue a successful road trip Wednesday night when they face the Boston Red Sox in the middle of a three-game series at Fenway Park.
Oddsmakers from Sportsbook.com have made Boston -155 money line favorites (MLB Odds) for tonight’s game, the over/under has been set at 10 total runs (Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 85% of bets for this game have been placed on Boston -155 (View MLB Bet Percentages).
After dealing ace Erik Bedard to Seattle and star shortstop Miguel Tejada to Houston, the Orioles (32-31) figured to struggle in 2008 behind a weak offense and a young rotation.
Baltimore, however, has proven to be a resilient team, leading the AL with 14 wins when trailing by two or more runs, including a 10-6 victory in Tuesday’s series opener.
Aubrey Huff matched his career high with four hits, including a tying two-run single, and the Orioles came from behind twice for their fourth win in five games.
Nick Markakis continued his torrid hitting with three hits as Baltimore improved to 5-2 on a nine-game trip, scoring 29 runs in its last four games.
Markakis is batting .426 (26-for-61) with two homers and 10 doubles in his last 14 games, raising his average from .247 to .294.
Boston (40-27) lost for only the second time in its last 17 home games, dropping to an AL-best 26-7 at Fenway Park.
"It’s tough to come in here and play. It always has been ever since I’ve been in this division," said Huff, who spent 6 1/2 seasons with Tampa Bay. "Probably the best thing we did was tack on three more runs there in the ninth inning because I’ve seen these guys come back."
The Orioles also had to overcome another home run from Manny Ramirez, his third in four games overall and fourth in as many games against them. Ramirez is batting .389 (21-for-54) with seven homers and 20 RBIs during a 14-game hitting streak.
Garrett Olson (5-1, 3.86 ERA) has been one of the keys to Baltimore’s surprising play. The second-year left-hander is tied for the team lead in wins despite making his season debut on April 28. He has allowed three runs or fewer in seven of his eight starts with the Orioles going 5-3 in those games.
Olson gave up two runs and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings Thursday in a 3-2 win at Minnesota, improving to 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA in his last three starts.
"He had some problems coming out of spring training, especially commanding his fastball," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "He’s improved a lot. Last year he might not have been able to handle some of the things he has this year. He’s matured."
Four of Olson’s 15 career starts have come against the Red Sox, going 0-2 with a 6.64 ERA in those games. He allowed two runs and three hits over five innings against Boston on May 31, leaving without a decision in Baltimore’s 6-3 loss.
Bartolo Colon (3-1, 3.91) makes his fifth start of the season and second against the Orioles. The veteran right-hander didn’t help himself in his last outing as he made two errors and allowed six runs – three earned – over five innings in an 8-0 loss to Seattle on Friday.
Colon was the winning pitcher in Boston’s 9-4 victory at Camden Yards on June 1, yielding four runs and seven hits in six innings. He is 9-6 with a 3.40 ERA in 18 starts against the Orioles.
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