Game 23: Red Sox @ Orioles

Written by Rob Munstis | 30 April 2010

Starters

John Lackey (2-1, 5.09)

David Hernandez (0-3, 4.84)

Lackey started his Red Sox career with two solid outings against the Yankees and Twins, but got shelled by the Rays in his third start. But the veteran righty responded with a quality start against the O's his last time out, holding them to 3 runs through 7 innings despite allowing 10 hits and 2 walks in the outing. Lackey is not 9-3 with a 3.21 ERA against the Orioles in his career and pitched well in his last start in Camden Yards: 7 IP, 1 RUN, 7 H, 6 K on Aug 15. The Orioles remain in a funk and are the worst team in the major by a long shot. Hopefully Lackey will feed off of the strong outings by Buchholz and Lester in Toronto and bring home a 4th consecutive win for the Sox.

Hernandez hasn't allowed more than 4 runs in a start, but a lack of offense and a few too many walks have kept him winless through his first 4 starts this year. Things won't get any easier with the Red Sox in town. Hernandez is 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 5 starts against Boston. He pitched well in his last start against the Sox, holding them to 3 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks, but struggled to get through 5 innings and did not facor in the eventual 7-6 win for the Orioles. DH is equally mediocre both at home and on the road, so Camden Yards isn't likely to help him... especially since the O's have probably lost most of their fans already this season and because Camden is nicknamed "Fenway South."

Key Matchups

Kevin Youkilis is hitting .333 over the past 7 days. He's 5 for 13 (.385) against the O's this season and hit .394 with 6 ding dongs against the Orioles last season. He's also a career .338 hitting in Camden Yards and a .385 hitter against Hernandez with 2 homers. Dustin Pedroia is just 3 for 13 (.241) vs DH, but all thre hits were homers...

Ty Wiggington is 4 for 14 (.286) wit ha homer against Lackey and is the O's hottest hitter right now (.429 in last 7 days). He'll be starting at 2B for the injured Brian Roberts. Miguel Tejada is back in the lineup and also hits Lackey well (11 for 37, .297)... as does Nick Markakis (8 for 25, .320). This is the "meat" of the O's lineup, and all three guys are hitting over .300 through the past week. If Lackey can keep these guys quiet, he should have a good night.