MLB Betting Preview: Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles AL East Rivalry

The Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles continue an important three-game series in the American League East Tuesday night at Camden Yards.

Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles

The Boston Red Sox have collapsed backward in the AL playoff race with two games remaining

Boston has officially blown a nine-game lead that it held in the AL Wild Card race on Sept. 3, as the Tampa Bay Rays have evened the race with two games to go. The Red Sox have gone straight into the tank, posting a 6-19 record in September, leaving the clubhouse searching for answers. “There’s not much to say,” commented Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “We need to find a win tomorrow.” Of the 17 previous times the club began September in first place, it made the postseason 15 times. Boston has a chance to make things right, considering it is 9-7 in its series with Baltimore, outscoring them by a 88-63 margin. The team is just 37-33 versus the division now.

Red Sox starting pitcher Erik Bedard is 5-9 with a 3.50 ERA in 23 starts this season and has managed to produce a 1-2 mark and 3.63 ERA in seven outings with his current team. He is coming off a no-decision effort against the Orioles, allowing four runs (one earned) and five hits over 2 2/3 innings, as Boston dropped a 7-5 contest. He has tallied a 3-4 record and 2.73 ERA in nine road starts, as opponents are hitting .211 against him. Bedard is 1-0 with a 2.79 ERA in four career appearances versus the Orioles.

Baltimore is definitely trying to play spoiler against one of its division rivals, handing Boston four losses in five meetings since Sept. 19. The Orioles used a four run sixth-inning rally to put away the Red Sox, led by designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero singling and stealing a base. He is now the all-time leader with 2,587 hits as a Dominican-born player. “I’ve played a lot of years, 16 years, so it felt very good,” commented Guerrero after the game. The former Angels and Expos star has been red hot, hitting .366 with two home runs in his last 20 games entering Monday night. Baltimore is 15-12 in September and 19-26 versus left-handed starters.

Orioles starting pitcher Zach Britton is 11-10 with a 4.44 ERA in 27 starts this season and will be looking to capture a third consecutive win. The left-hander has allowed six runs and nine hits over 12 innings over that span. He has tallied a 6-4 record and 2.71 ERA in 13 home starts, surrendering just five home runs in 83 innings. Britton will be facing the Red Sox for the third time in his career, producing a 1-1 mark and 10.80 ERA, including a 10-3 road loss on July 8 (0.2 IP, 8 R).

Bettors will likely back the Red Sox due to their 13-6 mark versus left-handed starters on the road, while the Orioles are 2-8 in their last 10 home games when facing southpaws.