After taking two of three games from the Toronto Blue Jays, the Boston Red Sox will welcome the Baltimore Orioles to Fenway Park Thursday night to open up a four-game weekend series. The Red Sox are 3-2 against the Orioles this season, and will look to hopefully finish off the first half of the season on a good note. The Sox trail the Yankees by a half game in the AL East, entering Thursday night's game/
Taking the hill for the Red Sox this evening will be left-hander Andrew Miller, who will be looking for win number three on the year. In his last start against the Astros, Miller went seven strong, giving up only two earned runs on seven hits and only walking two batters the whole game. With all of the injuries to the rotation and John Lackey's struggles, expectations for Miller will probably rise.
For game one of the series, the Orioles will call upon right-hander Jake Arrieta, who will be looking to become a 10-game winner. In his last outing, Arrieta pitched five innings while giving up five earned runs on six hits in an eventual loss to the Braves. Arrieta has a career 5.04 ERA against the Red Sox in one start against them.
Adrian Gonzalez will make his return to the lineup tonight, after sitting out last night's game to rest. Josh Reddick will be in left field this evening with the right hander on the mound, batting sixth. Jarrod Saltalamacchia will catch Miller tonight, batting seventh. Here is the full lineup:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Josh Reddick, LF
7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
8. J.D. Drew, RF
9. Marco Scutaro, SS
T.V.: NESN, MLB Network
Radio: WEEI 850 AM
Go Sox!