An uptick in offense will be one of the first orders of business when the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles meet Monday afternoon for the opener of a three-game series.
Boston began the season by going 1-3 at Texas, with Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to the Rangers coming with just five hits.
The Orioles split four games at Toronto, falling 3-1 in the series finale.
Baltimore’s offense is expected to be a strength, it just hasn’t been the case consistently. The Orioles have scored a total of three runs in their two losses.
“We had traffic, but we just didn’t get the big hit,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said of Sunday’s game.
Boston’s troubles have come with a 1-for-24 mark with runners in scoring position in the past two games.
“That trend is going to change,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “We will hit. We know that.”
Both teams will have starting pitchers in first-time situations Monday.
Left-hander Cade Povich (3-9, 5.20 ERA in 2024) will head to the mound for the Orioles, beginning a season in the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut last June.
“To be in the rotation with this team is an honor in itself,” Povich said, pointing out that throwing the first pitch of the season in Baltimore is another special distinction. “I’m super excited.”
On the other side, it will be the Red Sox debut for left-hander Sean Newcomb.
Newcomb (1-0, 6.30 ERA in 2024 with Oakland) was signed in January to a minor league deal, but he was so solid during spring training that he earned a spot in the rotation.
“He did a good job for us,” Cora said. “Sean did an outstanding job throughout camp. Added the cutter, throwing strikes.”
Newcomb, a Massachusetts native, said putting on the Red Sox uniform feels special.
“The guys here have helped me a lot,” Newcomb said of joining the Boston organization. “You’ve got to sort through and find the things that work for you.”
In his career, Newcomb has appeared in two games against Baltimore, covering 8 1/3 innings. He has a 2.16 ERA in those outings without a decision.
Povich faced the Red Sox twice last season, and he was tagged with losses both times. His first outing against Boston lasted 6 1/3 innings, giving up two runs. He was dinged for four runs in 4 2/3 innings in the September rematch. He struck out 11 batters in those 11 total innings.
The Orioles had some injury concerns coming out of Toronto. That included an injured left thumb suffered by Colton Cowser.
“He stayed in there for defense, but he wasn’t able to hit there in the ninth inning,” Hyde said.
Infielder Jordan Westburg was available for Baltimore, but Hyde said he wanted to give him another day off.
“He should be OK for (Monday),” Hyde said.
There will be a transition for the Orioles after playing four straight games on artificial turf in Toronto.
Monday’s game time has been moved up 30 minutes (to 2:35 p.m.) because of a forecast for rain later in the day.
–Field Level Media
