Red Sox at Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles own both the worst overall record in the majors and the worst mark at home, winning just 25 percent (9-27) of their games at Camden Yards. That home record gets even worse with a visit from the Boston Red Sox, who have won 17 of their last 19 in Baltimore and will look to complete a three-game sweep in Sunday afternoon's series finale.
J.D Martinez continued to torment the Orioles by homering for the third straight day in Saturday's 7-2 victory as Boston extended its winning streak to four games. Brock Holt is 5-for-9 with four RBIs and four runs scored in the series for the Red Sox, who can move a season-high five games over .500 with a victory Sunday. Brian Johnson will make his first start of the season in the finale against Baltimore, which counters with fellow lefty John Means after seeing its pitching staff dented for 40 runs over its four-game slide. Trey Mancini was among three Orioles with a pair of hits in Saturday's loss, extending his hitting streak to five games.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Brian Johnson (1-0, 12.71 ERA) vs. Orioles LH John Means (6-4, 2.60)
Johnson had been on the injured list due to an elbow issue since April 5, when he was hammered for seven runs over 1 1/3 innings by Arizona in what was only his fourth relief appearance of the season. The hope is that the former first-round pick will become a viable replacement for the injured Nathan Eovaldi and stop the revolving door for the No. 5 slot in Boston's starting rotation. Johnson did not allow a run in three relief appearances versus the Orioles in 2018.
Means ended a four-start winless drought versus Toronto on Tuesday, permitting one run and four hits over five innings to cap a span of three outings in which he allowed a combined three runs and 11 hits in 17 innings. He has split two starts versus the Red Sox this year, taking the loss despite five innings of one-run ball at Boston before holding them to one run and three hits over seven innings on May 6. Mookie Betts and Rafael Devers are each 1-for-7 against Means.
WALK-OFFS
1. Martinez has 22 career homers against Baltimore, his most against any opponent.
2. Orioles RHP David Hess, who has not won since April 1, was demoted to the bullpen.
3. Devers is 9-for-22 during a five-game hitting streak.