Orioles get first look at AL East as slumping Red Sox visit

The Baltimore Orioles will face an American League East rival for the first time this season when the Boston Red Sox visit to begin a three-game series Friday night.

Baltimore is 3-6 across its past nine games, so the Orioles are looking for consistency. Manager Craig Albernaz believes his players have the right approach.

"How we take hits and keep bouncing back whether it be injuries, whether it be tough games, whether it be falling behind, our guys keep competing," Albernaz said.

The Orioles had Thursday off following a 3-4 road trip that concluded with an 8-6 victory at Kansas City on Wednesday. Baltimore matched its season-high run total in that contest.

"I'd say that's what our offense is capable of," Albernaz said.

Of particular note was first baseman Pete Alonso's third home run of the season. The shot went to right-center field, a good sign for the right-handed slugger who is still trying to get untracked in his first season with the team.

"That's Pete, he has power to all fields, especially to right-center," Albernaz said. "It just opens up everything for him."

The Red Sox are coming off getting swept in three games by the visiting New York Yankees, including a 4-2 setback in the finale on Thursday. Boston gave up four runs in each game and scored a total of three runs in the series.

"We've just got to keep playing," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "It's still early. It's April. We've just got to play."

Boston, which has lost five of its past six games overall, owns a 4-8 road record.

The potential Baltimore starter for the series opener was right-hander Dean Kremer, but he went on the injured list Thursday due to a strained right quadriceps. The Orioles recalled right-hander Brandon Young from Triple-A Norfolk, and he is slated to throw the first pitch on Friday.

Young (1-0, 0.00 ERA) fired five shutout innings on April 6 in a road victory against the Chicago White Sox before a roster shift resulted in him returning to the minor leagues. In 12 big-league outings last year and the one this year, he has yet to face the Red Sox.

Young pitched well for Norfolk, giving up two runs in 16 2/3 innings across three starts (1.08 ERA). He struck out 10 in 5 2/3 innings of no-hit, one-run ball on Saturday against Durham.

The Orioles placed reliever Ryan Helsley on the bereavement/family emergency list prior to the Wednesday, so he won't be eligible to return before Sunday.

Baltimore catcher Adley Rutschman came off the injured list earlier this week and went 2-for-4 on Tuesday before sitting out on Wednesday.

Brayan Bello (1-2, 6.75 ERA) will start for Boston in the series opener. The right-hander has reached the five-inning mark in only one of four starts this season, last working Saturday, when he gave up four runs in four innings during a loss to the visiting Detroit Tigers.

Bello started against Baltimore last Aug. 27, and he yielded two runs (one earned) in 6 2/3 innings during a no-decision. For his career, he is 4-2 with a 3.26 ERA in seven outings, all starts, vs. the Orioles.

--Field Level Media