Rafael Devers will be looking to extend his 16-game on-base streak as the Boston Red Sox (+125) host the Baltimore Orioles (-145) at Fenway Park on Thursday with the visitors eyeing a split of the four-game series. The early total was set at 9. The Red Sox (74-81) lead the series 2-1 after winning 3-1 on Wednesday, their ninth head-to-head victory in 18 games this season. Rich Hill threw six scoreless innings – striking out nine – for the win, and Matt Barnes picked up his sixth save with a scoreless ninth. Alex Verdugo went 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Abraham Almonte added a solo home run. Robinson Chirinos was 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Orioles (80-75).
ON THE MOUND
Mike Baumann (1-3, 4.32 ERA) is in line for the start for Baltimore. The RHP allowed two runs over four innings in his last start, an 11-10 home defeat against the Astros on Saturday. He gave up three hits while striking out two and walking two in the no-decision. Baumann is making his first appearance against the Red Sox this season. Baumann made one appearance against the Red Sox in 2021, a 9-3 road loss on September 18. He surrendered five runs on six hits over two innings, striking out two and walking one. RHP Nathan Eovaldi (5-3, 4.15 ERA) takes the mound for Boston. He has made two appearances against the Orioles this season, both starts, giving up three runs (2 ER) over 16 innings (1-0, 1.13) with 14 strikeouts and one walk. In his last start on August 12, Eovaldi took a no-decision at home against the Yankees. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on eight hits, striking out three and walking two in the 3-2 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Baltimore has averaged 7.4 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.3, while slashing better across the board (.311/.357/.607). Against righties like Eovaldi this season, the O’s have a .713 OPS. Cedric Mullins is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .804 OPS in 405 at-bats. Boston is averaging 5.8 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.6 for the season, with an improved slash line (.274/.367/.459). The Sox have a .727 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .929 OPS over 392 at-bats, Devers has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Baltimore is 36-41 in away games in 2022, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Boston has gone 39-38 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 5.2. In the last 10 games at Fenway Park between the AL East rivals, Boston is 6-4 despite an average scoreline favoring Baltimore (6.4-6.3).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Orioles are fourth in the AL East, 16 games behind the division-leading Yankees. They are fourth in the Wild Card race, four games out of third. The Red Sox are fifth in the AL East, 22 games behind the Yankees.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Boston Red Sox (-155)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
