The Orioles knew they would have a pretty good chance Saturday if they could force their matinee against the Red Sox into extra innings. Boston hasn't been so great past the ninth inning this year, while the O's have now won 16 in a row in extras.
The Orioles have built their playoff-hopeful season on pulling out close wins and getting production from their call-ups.
On Sunday, though, Baltimore may get a taste of its own medicine as the Red Sox call on some of their youngsters to make noise as the season winds down. While the Orioles have built their success in recent years on young talent and September surges, Boston could learn how to do the same Sunday.
The youth movement starts on the mound, where Felix Doubront (11-9, 5.08 ERA) has a few last chances to cap off his first full year in the bigs. Doubront was great at points this season, racking up strikeouts in the early going, and although he's fought fatigue late this year, he has said he is working hard to finish strong.
The Red Sox will also be going young in the infield, where Jose Iglesias gets the start at shortstop and Danny Valencia patrols third base. Pedro Ciriaco will take over for Dustin Pedroia at second, giving Pedroia some time at the designated hitter spot.
Chris Tillman (8-2, 3.22) will throw for the Orioles. In his one appearance against the Sox this season, he went 4 2/3 innings and gave up three earned runs in a loss. Boston hitters don't have much of a history against him, although Pedroia has gone 3-for-7, and Valencia, Ciriaco, Scott Podsednik and Cody Ross have all hit him once.
Here are the complete lineups for Sunday:
Red Sox (68-85)
Scott Podsednik, CF
Pedro Ciriaco, 2B
Dustin Pedroia, DH
Cody Ross, RF
James Loney, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Danny Valencia, 3B
Daniel Nava, LF
Jose Iglesias, SS
Felix Doubront, P
Orioles (87-64)
Nate McLouth, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Adam Jones, CF
Matt Wieters, C
Mark Reynolds, 1B
Lew Ford, RF
Chris Davis, DH
Manny Machado, 3B
Robert Andino, 2B
Chris Tillman, P
