**Join us in the Orange Crush live chat at 7:00 as the Orioles play the second of a three-game set against the Boston Red Sox**
BALTIMORE — Looking for their second straight win against the consensus favorite in the American League East, most would love their chances sending their veteran ace to the hill.
However, taking a look at Jeremy Guthrie’s career numbers against the Red Sox and the Orioles’ attrition in his starts might cause you to rethink that philosophy. In 14 career starts against Boston, Guthrie is just 1-7 with a 4.95 earned run average. The 32-year-old has lost his last seven decisions and the Orioles have lost the last nine games Guthrie has started against the Red Sox.
Of course, consider the lineups the Orioles have trotted out there against Boston during Guthrie’s tenure in Baltimore before you write him off tonight.
Boston will give the ball to Josh Beckett, who will try to continue his success against the Orioles at Camden Yards. Beckett is 6-3 with a 3.53 ERA in 14 career starts against Baltimore, but his 5-2 mark with a 2.94 ERA in 10 starts in Baltimore is even more impressive.
It will be a tall order for the Orioles against the red-hot Beckett, but seeing Jon Lester and his 13-0 career record against the club looming on Thursday makes tonight’s challenge seem far more reasonable.
Brian Matusz will throw his first full bullpen session on Thursday before reporting to Sarasota this weekend. He is expected to pitch in at least one extended spring training game before departing on a minor league rehab assignment.
Injured reliever Chris Jakubauskas will also complete a bullpen session on Thursday.
Shortstop J.J. Hardy has experienced some soreness since resuming baseball activity, but it is not considering a major concern or anything abnormal. Hardy is eligible to come off the disabled list at any time, but his return is not imminent.
Here are tonight’s starting lineups:
Boston
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
2B Dustin Pedroia
1B Adrian Gonzalez
3B Kevin Youkilis
DH David Ortiz
RF J.D. Drew
SS Jed Lowrie
LF Carl Crawford
C Jason Varitek
SP Josh Beckett (2-1, 1.93 ERA)
Baltimore
2B Brian Roberts
RF Nick Markakis
1B Derrek Lee
DH Vladimir Guerrero
LF Luke Scott
CF Adam Jones
3B Mark Reynolds
C Matt Wieters
SS Robert Andino
SP Jeremy Guthrie (1-3, 3.12 ERA)
As we do for every weeknight home game, join us in the Orange Crush live chat beginning at 7:00. Talk about the game with us as an array of WNST.net personalities visit the cyber sports bar throughout the evening! Be sure to follow us on Twitter (@WNST) for the latest updates and analysis regarding the happenings from Oriole Park at Camden Yards!
