The Baltimore Orioles are still alive in the Wild Card hunt, sitting 4 games back of the third and final spot, but time is of the essence so they are going to have to take care of business when they head to Fenway tonight to open a 4-game set with the Boston Red Sox. Baltimore is expected to send Jordan Lyles to the rubber. He is a mediocre, at 11-11, with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP, but was sharp in his last turn against the Tigers, going the distance and allowing just 3 hits, fanning 6, and walking none, resulting in an 8-1 Orioles win. Boston, who is officially eliminated for playoff contention, is expected to counter with Connor Seabold and the O’s should be able to get to this guy. Seabold is winless, at 0-3, with a bloated ERA of 10.47 and a 2.20 ERA, and that is not good. Simply put, Baltimore has everything to play for and Boston doesn’t.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BALTIMORE ORIOLES