Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 3/30/2023

Time: 2:10 p.m. ET

Venue: Fenway Park, Boston, MA

Where to watch: NESN, MASN 2

DraftKings: Red Sox -125, Orioles +105

BetMGM: Red Sox -125, Orioles +105

Caesars: Red Sox -125, Orioles +105

Orioles: 83-79 (4th place, AL East)

Red Sox: 78-84 (Last place, AL East)

If you tried to follow as hectic a season as this was in baseball last season, you probably forgot all about how great the Baltimore Orioles were last season, coming out of nowhere and falling within three games of a playoff spot.

Yes, those same Baltimore Orioles finished above .500 and almost made the playoffs. It was quite the spectacle at Camden Yards. Though they missed out last year, it's expected the Orioles will have a return to the means this year, but should continue to develop well.

But I do wonder how they'll handle a Boston Red Sox team that will absolutely be on the verge of trying to bounce back after a disappointing campaign where they finished in last place. 

Without a doubt, the Orioles have the youngest lineup in the league. It's also one of the more exciting lineups in the league. Anthony Santander had a breakout year with 33 homers and 89 RBI, while Ryan Mountacastle followed with 22. Even Rougned Odor turned back the clock and hit a couple of dingers along the way.

But the MVP that provided the jolt? Adley Rutschman. The 24-year-old catcher and top prospect provided a fun second half of the season, and eyes will be on him for how the Orioles proceed this year. Coming off a .254 hitting season and 13 homers, this is his time to shine and be the face of the Orioles rebuild.

Boston, meanwhile, is in a place of pure wonder and mystery. There's still plenty of talent on this roster with Rafael Devers being an eater of worlds in everything that he does, and you hope that Trevor Story can get back to original form.

But the loss of Xander Bogaerts is going to be most felt. Trying to replicate a guy that hit .307 and is one of the best defensive shortstops in the world is now in San Diego. Enrique Hernandez is moving from centerfield to shortstop,and he's coming off a year where he hit .222.

For Boston to succeed, it's going to come down to the health of Chris Sale. The Boston ace is all alone in the rotation now without Nathan Eovaldi and he's still working his way back from Tommy John. If Corey Kluber and Nick Pivetta can be a solid 2-3 combo, Boston should be fine. But Sale needs to be healthy to give this rotation a chance.

Prediction

Kyle Gibson is the Orioles' new ace and this is a good opportunity for him on a rebuilding team. Not as much expectation as there was in Philadelphia. But I expect him to have a rocky start and let the excitement/unknown of Boston take hold. Red Sox 7, Orioles 5

Orioles:

Cedric Mullins (L) CF
Adley Rutschman (S) C
Ryan Mountcastle (R) 1B
Anthony Santander (S) LF
Gunnar Henderson (L) DH
Ramon Urias (R) 3B
Terrin Vavra (L) RF
Adam Frazier (L) 2B
Jorge Mateo (R) SS
SP - Kyle Gibson

Red Sox:

Alex Verdugo (L) RF
Rafael Devers (L) 3B
Justin Turner (R) DH
Masataka Yoshida (L) LF
Adam Duvall (R) CF
Triston Casas (L) 1B
Christian Arroyo (R) 2B
Reese McGuire (L) C
Enrique Hernandez (R) SS
SP - Chris Sale