Game Day: Monday, July 20th

The Red Sox and the Orioles are the big story on Monday.  Both teams completed sweeps on Sunday and carry winning streaks into the new week.  The two teams open a three-game series tonight at Fenway Park in Boston, MA.  MLB's two hottest teams square up in a series that will in some way determine the pecking order in the AL East, MLB's most competitive division this season.

The Red Sox are on an absolute heater.  13 wins in a row, 18 wins in their last 20 games and a four-game sweep of the first-place Tampa Bay Rays.  

It's really been a miracle with Crochet, Suarez and Early all on the IR.  Jake Bennett and Payton Tolle have stepped up and Sonny Gray has been otherworldly for this Red Sox team.  The bullpen has been special at the top.

The offense has played well but the numbers over the past two weeks and the past month aren't anything special.  This team is winning with pitching and defense.

The Orioles are winners of seven straight with a sweep of the Houston Astros over the weekend.  They might have put the Astros out of contention and with a series win over the red hot Red Sox, they will certainly make a statement towards being contenders in the AL East and for a spot in the AL playoffs.

The Orioles are back in the mix this season.  It's another team that is winning with pitching.  Bradish, Rogers and Young have been real good and are in top form.  Shane Baz is a strong four and Dean Kremer fits in at the five.  Chris Bassitt will offer this O's team some depth and some insurance when he returns from the IR in August.  

A quick glance at the names in the lineup and this Orioles' team is stacked with offense.  The scary part is that they haven't hit up to their capability this season.  They could get hot with the bats and really make a run.

Both teams will be looking for reinforcements at the trade deadline.  Boston could use a big bat in the infield and a back of the rotation starter to bridge the gap of injuries to Crochet, Suarez and Early.  If they can add a big bat and can get healthy in the rotation, this Boston team can win the AL East.

The O's could add a bat, a depth starter and a pair of bullpen arms.  They would be fairly well set.  An ace would be a dramatic move and that would be awesome.

It's going to be a great series to begin the week.  This is regular season MLB baseball at its' finest.  Shane Baz (4-9) starts for Baltimore tonight against Payton Tolle (5-6) who gets the ball for Boston.  First pitch at 6:10 PM CDT from Fenway Park in Boston, MA.  

That's it for Game Day.  Stay tuned for Today's Pick.  If we can get two wins in a row, it will be nice.

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