Red Sox vs. Orioles lineups: Brock Holt returns against Baltimore

It’s just the first game of four in the series, but the Sox can ensure they leave Baltimore in first place with just the one win tonight.

While the Sox weren’t able to get the best of Baltimore the last time they faced off, taking all four from the Yankees has kept them in very comfortable territory, up three on the O’s and four on the Jays in the East. As such, with just one win, the Sox will get out of reach of their competition for at least this stretch of games.

Of course, they’re looking for more. The Sox have proven capable of winning on the road this year, which is good, since that’s where they’re spending most of the rest of the season. Taking two in Baltimore wouldn’t gain them any ground, obviously, but for the Sox, the status quo is just fine. If they actually manage to steal three wins from the home team? That’s where we’re starting to talk about knocking the competition out of the running.

But one win comes first. The one thing the Sox really can’t afford, even with the cushion they’ve built, is a sweep. Dylan Bundy is a solid arm, and took the win the last time these two teams faced off, but the Sox have to like their chances on any day where Porcello takes the mound.

In the lineup, Brock Holt gets the start at third with Travis Shaw once again going a bit quiet. Shaw’s September numbers as a whole still look pretty good, but it’s worth noting that Holt, too, has leveled off nicely since he stepped out of a starting role. He’s no star, but he gets the job done reasonably well. Hopefully his shoulder injury hasn’t disrupted whatever rhythm he managed to get into.

First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. ET with broadcasts on NESN, WEEI, and the MLB Network.