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Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox set to kick off short two-game series

By Nate Wardle

Sep 14, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Mark Trumbo (45) watches his home run against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Mark Trumbo (45) watches his home run against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 9, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Starlin Castro (14) forces out Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) and throws to first base for a double play during the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Starlin Castro (14) forces out Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) and throws to first base for a double play during the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Can either offense get it going?

Both offenses have struggled a bit so far in the early going of the season.

The Red Sox have the 15th best average in baseball at .240. The Orioles have the 20th best at .227.

The Orioles are tied for 20th in home runs with five, while the Red Sox are tied for 29th (last) with three.

The Red Sox are 13th in on-base percentage at .322, while the Orioles are 26th at .284. No, the Orioles are not a great on-base percentage team, but they should be better than that.

When it comes to slugging percentage, the Orioles are in 23rd at .362, with the Red Sox next at 24th at .348. Of course, the two teams directly ahead of these two are the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs.

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Of course, this is all based on small sample sizes, but these two teams are expected to have prolific offenses. So far, that hasn’t been the case.

I expect this to be another close series for the Orioles unless the bats can break out. The Orioles traditionally have been good against Pomeranz, but not good at all against Steven Wright, who starts on Wednesday.

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The Orioles may have an advantage though, having played two division teams already and already getting into the intense feel of AL East play. We will see if the Red Sox are healthy enough to respond to what the Orioles bring to Fenway, or if the Orioles can win another series in the division.

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