Red Sox - Orioles Preview

Back on the road where we remain under .500 this season (34-37)

Friday 7:05 PM NESN Buchholz (5-3, 3.66 ERA) vs. Guthrie (10-14, 5.06 ERA)
Saturday 7:05 PM NESN Lester (13-7, 3.29 ERA) vs. Hernandez (4-8, 5.40 ERA)
Sunday 1:35 PM NESN Matsuzaka (2-5, 7.020 ERA) vs. Berken (5-11, 6.08 ERA)

GAME 1

Buchholz is 3-0 in his last four starts and has only allowed four runs in 28 1/3 innings over that stretch. He's really in a groove and will look to keep things rolling tonight. His opponent, Jeremy Guthrie had strung together four straight quality starts before his dud against the Yanks last Thursday.

GAME 2

Lester is on a roll. The stud lefty has a 1.81 ERA in his last eight outings. Not to mention 53 Ks in his last 48 1/3 IP. Just two starts ago Oriole's pitcher David Hernandez gave up six runs in 2 2/3 innings against the Sox. He's susceptible to the long ball, so hopefully the Sox bats stay alive tonight.

GAME 3

Dice-K pitched well his last time out; his first start in months. He shut the Angels down over six plus innings and needs to stay accurate to remain successful. Jason Berken faced us two outings ago and his line was: 5 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 3 K, 4 BB.

EXTRAS:

-Youkilis is back in tonight's lineup.
-After a 40 pitch bullpen session today Tim Wakefield said he hopes to pitch Monday.