The Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox continue their American League East four-game series Saturday night at Fenway Park

Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox

Baltimore has dropped 10 of its last 11 games and will not likely turn things around at historic Fenway Park.  The Orioles have lost 21 of 26 games on the road against the Red Sox and have allowed double-digit runs in the first two games of this series.  Some of that frustration boiled over in a benches clearing incident in the eight-inning in Friday night’s contest, as Orioles reliever Kevin Gregg hit Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz.  “We’ve been getting hit around a bit and forget it, we took some blows back,” said outfielder Adam Jones.  “That livens up everything up in here.”  Baltimore is 10-20 versus divisional opponents this year and a terrible 10-32 when playing teams with a wining record.

Orioles starting pitcher Alfredo Simon is scheduled to make his fourth major league start and first since April 14, 2009 at Texas.  The right-hander has made seven relief appearances this year, posting an even 1-1 mark and 4.64 ERA, as opponents are hitting .301 against him.  Simon came out of the bullpen 49 times last year, ending the year with a 4-2 record and 4.93 ERA, which included 17 saves as the team’s closer.  In six career outings versus the Red Sox, he has yet to record a decision and has compiled a 7.20 ERA in 10 innings of work.

Boston’s offense has been clicking on all cylinders, scoring 36 runs in the first five games of its current homestand.  The Red Sox connected for six home runs in the series opener and added two more last night, including a three-run shot by Ortiz.  First baseman Adrian Gonzalez also continues to be a major story at the plate, going 2 for 2 last night, giving him 126 hits on the season.  The club definitely isn’t pedestrian in leading the majors in extra-base hits.  Boston is 26-17 at home this season and 37-16 following a win.

Red Sox starting pitcher John Lackey is 5-8 with a 7.47 ERA in 13 starts this season and dropped his third consecutive outing last time out.  He is the only Boston starter to have a losing streak of at least three starts in 2011.  The right-hander allowed seven runs and nine hits over 2 1/3 innings in a 9-7 home loss to the Blue Jays.  Over his last three starts, Lackey has surrendered 14 runs and 21 hits over 13 1/3 frames.  In 17 lifetime starts versus the Orioles, he has tallied a solid 10-4 mark and 3.05 ERA, including 2-1 record and 2.80 ERA at Baltimore as a member of the Red Sox.

Bettors will likely back the Red Sox due to their 27-11 mark as a favorite, while the Orioles are 16-35 as an underdog