Game 60 Preview: Red Sox at Orioles

This season has been filled with ups and downs, but one thing remains the same; the lack of offense is crushing the Red Sox. In roughly 39% of their games this season, the Sox have scored 2 runs or fewer and last night once again added to that percentage. Eduardo Rodriguez didn't have his best stuff but battled to get through 6 innings and became the 1st Red Sox starter since 1914 to have their first three starts to begin their career with 7+ K's. The team left 9 men on base and is still having major issues with knocking runners in. Dustin Pedroia, Pablo Sandoval and Mookie Betts combined to go 0-10 from the plate with a walk.

Tonight the Sox have Rick Porcello (4-5 5.01) on the hill, who has lost his last 3 starts but will attempt to build upon his start last week against the Twins, in which he gave up only 2 runs in 8 innings. However, he took the loss and knows pretty well what it's like to not get any support from the lineup. He faces off against Wei-Yin Chen (1-4 3.18), who also has suffered from lack of run support. The O's starter has only given up 3 earned runs once and has thrown 7 quality starts this season.

Here is tonight's starting lineup for the Red Sox:

Pedroia (2B)
Holt (LF)
Ramirez (DH)
Napoli (1B)
Bogaerts (SS)
Sandoval (3B)
Betts (CF)
Swihart (C)
Castillo (RF)

Quick Hits:

- O's relievers have held opponents to a .131 batting average over their last 18 1/3 innings
- Hanley Ramirez is back in the lineup tonight after fouling off a pitch against his knee last night, he will be the DH replacing slumping David Ortiz
- Last night was the 5th time the Sox have been shut out since May 8th
- Porcello has given up 12 runs in 11 innings against the O's this season

Have a question for Mike during the game or whenever a baseball discussion is going on, reach out via Twitter: @86flynn