masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgCan a struggling pitcher with a poor career record against Boston beat this hot-hitting Red Sox team tonight at Camden Yards?
We are going to find out as the Orioles (29-22) host Boston (32-21) in the finale of this four-game series. A win pulls the Orioles within one game of first place while a loss sends them to three games out in the American League East.
Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (2-6, 6.36 ERA) pitches against right-hander Rick Porcello (7-2, 3.68 ERA).

Jimenez has allowed six runs in…

Can a struggling pitcher with a poor career record against Boston beat this hot-hitting Red Sox team tonight at Camden Yards?

We are going to find out as the Orioles (29-22) host Boston (32-21) in the finale of this four-game series. A win pulls the Orioles within one game of first place while a loss sends them to three games out in the American League East.

Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (2-6, 6.36 ERA) pitches against right-hander Rick Porcello (7-2, 3.68 ERA).

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Jimenez has allowed six runs in each of his last three starts and in four of his past six. He is 0-3 with an ERA of 11.57 his past three starts. In six starts in May he went 1-4 with an ERA of 8.28, allowing 19 walks over 29 1/3 innings and an average against of .336 in those six games.

For the season Jimenez has a .313 average against, a WHIP of 1.873 and has allowed 11.7 hits for every nine innings. Over 52 1/3 innings, he has walked 30 and fanned 45.

The Orioles had a winning record in his 2015 starts, going 18-14. This year they are 4-6. Jimenez took a loss April 13 at Boston, allowing four runs over five innings. In 12 career starts versus Boston, he is 2-5 with a 7.25 ERA and 1.800 WHIP.

Porcello has had a solid season for Boston. But, over his past three starts, he is 1-1 with a 5.19 ERA. He is 2-2 with a 4.35 ERA in five road starts.

Over 63 2/3 innings for the season, Porcello has walked 14 with 59 strikeouts and has a .232 average against. Left-handed batters are hitting .192 off him with right-handed batters hitting .276.

Last night, O’s reliever Brad Brach extended his scoreless streak to seven games over 8 2/3 after tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings. He is now 5-0 and owns a 0.94 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 23 appearances. The Birds are 20-3 in games in which he pitches.

Manny Machado has now hit safely in eight of his last nine games, batting .343/.455/.571 (12-for-35) with five doubles, a home run, five runs scored, and five RBIs in that span. Hyun Soo Kim has now hit safely in 12 of his 19 games this season, batting .382/.469/.509 (21-for-55), including six multi-hit performances.