Tonight at 7:05 p.m. ET the Boston Red Sox (28-34) will embark on a three-game trip to Baltimore against the division rival Orioles (31-30) in Baltimore that can be live streamed by clicking this link. Red Sox fans can tune in to the radio broadcast on 93.7 WEEI, while Orioles fans may do the same on 1090 WBAL. The Red Sox will send Jake Peavy (1-3, 4.72 ERA) to the mound against Bud Norris (4-5, 4.41 ERA).
The Red Sox got Mike Napoli back Sunday, which provided a huge shot in the arm to an offense that has been in a team-wide slump all season. Winning pitcher John Lackey said Napoli's looming presence allowed designated hitter David Ortiz to swat a go-ahead three-run homer in the victory over the Tigers.
"They wouldn't have thrown one near the strike zone if that dude (Napoli) wasn't standing on deck," Lackey said. In 44 games this year Napoli has hit .272 with six home runs and 23 RBIs, and the Red Sox have been without his big bat since May 23.
BoSox manager John Farrell is thrilled to have his slugger back providing right-handed protection for Big Papi. "You're talking about a guy that's mid-20s home runs and nearly 100 RBIs a year ago," Farrell said.
"That type of production has been missed. I think any time you can lengthen the lineup with another quality hitter, it's going to be advantageous for us. We're certainly looking forward to Mike being in that spot."
The Orioles offense has been hot as well, scoring 39 runs in their last seven contests. "Everybody's been having good at-bats up here," outfielder Nick Markakis said.
"It seems like when they've been throwing it over the plate, we've been putting good swings on it. We've been able to find the hole and find the gap. We don't need to change anything. We need to do exactly what we're doing now and continue what we're doing."
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