AP SPORTS PREVIEW

BALTIMORE (Interstat) — The Boston Red Sox, losers of two straight and seven of their last eight, open a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. under cloudy skies, with the temperature at 70 degrees.

Boston (9-15) enters the game on the heels of a 4-1 loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday, managing only one run in the series finale. Right-hander Brayan Bello (1-2, 4.50 ERA) will start for the Red Sox. Bello is seeking his first quality start since April 8; he lasted 5⅔ innings in a loss to the Yankees on April 19, allowing four runs on six hits.

Baltimore (12-13) took two of three from the Kansas City Royals, including an 8-6 win Wednesday. The Orioles are 6-4 in their last 10 games. Right-hander Dean Kremer (2-1, 3.86) is the scheduled starter for Baltimore, though the club had not confirmed its rotation as of Thursday.

Players to watch

Red Sox right-hander Eduardo Rivera, primarily a reliever, threw 3⅓ scoreless innings Wednesday against New York, allowing one hit with three strikeouts. He could see extended work again out of the bullpen.

Orioles right-handed reliever Anthony Nunez has been dominant, allowing one run over his last nine appearances (9⅓ innings) with 11 strikeouts. He has not surrendered an earned run since April 17.

By the numbers

Baltimore is installed as a -1.5-run favorite, according to Interstat. The over/under is set at 8.5 runs. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-4 Orioles victory.

Boston continues its road trip Saturday and Sunday at Baltimore, then travels to Toronto for three games beginning Monday. Baltimore hosts Boston for the next two games before a four-game homestand against Houston beginning Tuesday.