Red Sox looking to put foot back on gas against Orioles

TV: FOX
First Pitch: 7:15 p.m. ET
Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards

The Red Sox need to put their foot back on the gas during this weekend’s series against the Baltimore Orioles.

Boston has taken the long-term outlook on things over the last week — placing first baseman Willson Contreras on the injured list, taking every opportunity possible to get outfielders Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu off their feet, and building in some extra off days for starting pitcher Sonny Gray — which played something of a role in back-to-back series losses to the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.

It’s not the worst thing the organization could have done considering they’re all but locked into their postseason spot, but it;’s time to cut the shit as they kick off their penultimate series within the division on Thursday at Camden Yards.

Jake Bennett will start on regular rest for the first time this month, with his last outing serving as one of his best all season (six scoreless innings) after his first real skid (at least three earned runs in four consecutive starts) started things off in August. The Red Sox could use some length, which they have gotten out of the rookie in back-to-back outings where he has 13 strikeouts across 13.0 innings pitched.

Adley Rutschman will return following a three-game absence to face the team that selected him No. 1 overall in the 2019 MLB Draft. Trevor Story will get the night off, as he is replaced at shortstop by Isaiah Kiner-Falefa. Rafaela will also sit in favor of Eli White.

Brandon Young could prove to be a formidable opponent, as he carries a 3.38 ERA into his second start against the Red Sox in 2026. The O’s won that first contest, 10-3.

Boston and Baltimore will continue their series throughout the weekend on NESN.