Bundy on the mound for first road game

Orioles manager Buck Showalter will place his full attention on tonight's game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, but he's going to be plugged into Chris Tillman's extended spring training start earlier in the day in Sarasota.

Tillman is slated to work two innings and throw around 30 pitches. A discomfort-free shoulder should allow him to get out of Florida and report to Double-A Bowie to begin his injury rehab assignment.

The Orioles' pitching staff posted a 3.64 ERA during the five-game homestand that ranked 13th yesterday in the majors. The rotation's 4.10 ERA ranked 20th, and its 26 1/3 innings ranked last.

The offense registered a .227 average that ranked 22nd, with a .284 on-base percentage that was 26th and a slugging percentage that was 25th. The Orioles have totaled five home runs, which were tied for 20th, and the 37 hits were 29th. But the 38 strikeouts were 28th, and the 4-1 record puts the Orioles in first place in the American League East.

Dylan Bundy has produced the rotation's only quality start, holding the Blue Jays to one run over seven innings on April 5. He's 4-1 with a 2.89 ERA in five career starts on five days' rest and has held opponents to a .180 average in 28 innings.

Bundy made his major league debut coming out of the bullpen at Fenway Park. He's 1-2 with a 6.53 ERA and 1.887 WHIP in seven career games (three starts) against the Red Sox, with 15 runs and 31 hits over 20 2/3 innings. He's 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.607 WHIP in four games in Boston, with four runs and 11 hits in 9 1/3 innings.

In his only start at Fenway Park, Bundy surrendered three runs and six hits and walked four batters in 5 1/3 innings on Sept. 13. He gave up a combined 10 runs and 15 hits over 9 1/3 innings in two starts at Camden Yards.

The Red Sox are batting .339 (20-for-59) against Bundy. Mookie Betts is 4-for-9 with two home runs, Dustin Pedroia is 5-for-11 with a double, Jackie Bradley Jr. is 3-for-8 with a home run, Brock Holt is 3-for-6 with a double and Sandy Leon is 2-for-5 with a home run.

Hanley Ramirez is 1-for-9.

Bradley was placed on the disabled list yesterday with a sprained ligament in his right knee. Meanwhile, the Red Sox reportedly had their clubhouse fumigated and disinfected to combat the flu.

No word on whether they did the same with the visiting side, but I wouldn't hold my breath - except to avoid getting sick.

Left-hander Drew Pomeranz will make his 2017 debut after being on the disabled list with a left flexor strain. He's held left-handers to a .199 average over his career, while right-handers bat .244.

Pomeranz is 0-2 with an 8.10 ERA in four career games against the Orioles, with six runs, two walks and 13 strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. In his only start, he allowed five runs in two innings on Sept. 13 at Fenway Park. J.J. Hardy and Nolan Reimold hit home runs.

Welington Castillo is 2-for-4 with a home run lifetime against Pomeranz.

I'm boarding a flight to Boston later this morning.

Note: The Orioles have optioned pitcher Miguel Castro, 22, to Single-A Frederick after acquiring him from the Rockies on Friday for a player to be named later or cash. However, it's a temporary assignment. He's going to be transferred to Bowie when he's ready to pitch