Game 144 Preview: Red Sox at Orioles

When you're a pitcher in the big leagues, being compared to a Hall of Famer is always a good thing. But when you're compared to a Red Sox legend as well, people really start to notice around here. Tonight's Red Sox starter is Joe Kelly (10-6 4.60) and he's trying to tie Pedro Martinez's record of 9 straight victories which was done in the historic 1999 season. Kelly proclaimed he would win the Cy Young award this year and started the season as far away from that award as he could have gone. But since August, the starter has an ERA of 2.59 and hasn't allowed more than 2 runs in his last 7 starts.

Tonight against the O's, he has some pretty impressive numbers against some of their best hitters. Adam Jones and Manny Machado are a combined 2/11 against Kelly in their careers. The Sox hitters will be facing Ubaldo Jimenez (11-9 4.22) who's won his last 2 starts. Mookie Betts ended his 18 game hitting streak last night by going 0/3 with a walk and the Sox offense struggled for the whole night. Dustin Pedroia returns to the lineup tonight after a day off yesterday, the team is being cautious of his return to the lineup since his injury.

Here is tonight's Red Sox lineup:

Betts (CF)
Pedroia (2B)
Bogaerts (SS)
Ortiz (DH)
Shaw (1B)
Sandoval (3B)
Castillo (LF)
Hanigan (C)
Bradley Jr (RF)

Quick Hits:

- Pablo Sandoval has a .361 average, with two homers against Ubaldo Jimenez in 36 career at-bats
- Pedroia is 6/19 since returning from the DL, with a homer and two doubles
- Jimenez has an ERA of 8.06 in 9 career starts against the Red Sox

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