The shocking end to Koji Uehara's incredible streak left the Red Sox on the losing end of the first game of their series against the Orioles, leaving them still just short of clinching a playoff berth. Now they'll try again to bring those magic numbers one step lower--perhaps even all the way to zero, if the Indians cooperate--with Jake Peavy on the mound.
Boston Red Sox (92-60)
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Shane Victorino, CF
- David Ortiz, DH
- Mike Napoli, 1B
- Jonny Gomes, LF
- Daniel Nava, RF
- Will Middlebrooks, 3B
- Stephen Drew, SS
- David Ross, C
Starting Pitcher -- Jake Peavy
Baltimore Orioles (80-70)
- Nate McLouth, LF
- Manny Machado, 3B
- Chris Davis, 1B
- Adam Jones, CF
- Nick Markakis, RF
- Danny Valencia, DH
- Matt Wieters, C
- J.J. Hardy, SS
- Brian Roberts, 2B
Starting Pitcher -- Wei-Yin Chen
The magic number for clinching a playoff spot may be unchanged, but the division number is down to just three courtesy of the Rangers, who gave the Rays a serious beating last night. Given what the Red Sox did to Chen not one month ago, that number may be set to dip lower. Chen came into that game--one which saw him surrender eight runs--with a 3.19 ERA. Four starts later, and that figure is up to 3.99. He's still striking guys out, but one way or another the runs have flowed.
Of course, the lineup then was a little different, and the lineup without Jacoby Ellsbury and Jarrod Saltalamacchia is, if not by any means bad, then certainly diminished. Hopefully with the lefty on the mound thatwon't show through quite so much, with the various lefty-mashers doing their jobs.