Orioles at Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are still hanging around at the edges of the wild card race in the American League, but things are only getting harder as the injury list grows and the schedule gets shorter. The Red Sox will try to take care of what's in front of them and finish off a three-game sweep when they host the Baltimore Orioles in the series finale on Sunday.
The defending champions aren't what they were last season in large part because of the starting pitching, and that staff took a major hit when ace Chris Sale was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with elbow inflammation that could keep him out the rest of the season pending evaluation from team doctors and noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews. Eduardo Rodriguez made his bid to become the team's ace with 7 1/3 scoreless innings in Saturday's 4-0 victory - Boston's fourth consecutive win - to help keep the team 6 1/2 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the second AL wild card. The Orioles sit in last place in the AL East and are losers of six straight and 11 of their last 12. The Red Sox will make an addition to the rotation by moving right-hander Nathan Eovaldi up from the bullpen on Sunday while Baltimore gives left-hander Ty Blach a start.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Ty Blach (0-1, 13.94 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 5.77)
Blach is making his second start for Baltimore after allowing seven runs - six earned - on seven hits and three walks over four innings in a loss at New York on Monday. The 28-year-old made two appearances for the San Francisco Giants earlier this season and did not fare well, surrendering a total of 10 runs and 14 hits across 6 1/3 frames. Blach is making his first career appearance against Boston.
Eovaldi is returning to the rotation after making 11 appearances out of the bullpen since returning from elbow surgery following the All-Star break. The 29-year-old Texan last started on April 17 at New York and posted a 6.00 ERA in four starts before hitting the injured list. Eovaldi is seeing Baltimore for the first time in 2019 and last saw the Orioles at Fenway Park on Sept. 24, when he allowed one run and struck out 10 over five innings to earn a win.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Red Sox recalled RHP Ryan Brasier from Triple-A Pawtucket to fill Sale's roster spot.
2. Baltimore recalled RHP prospect Hunter Harvey from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday and he tossed a scoreless inning in his major-league debut.
3. Boston 3B Rafael Devers is 16-for-32 with nine extra-base hits during a seven-game hitting streak.