O's game blog: Hellickson faces Porcello in series opener

For the first time since late July, the Orioles will play an American League East opponent tonight. They begin a three-game series at Boston's Fenway Park against the first-place Red Sox.

The Orioles (62-65) are tied for third and 11 games behind Boston (73-54). The Orioles are three games out for the second AL wild card, but there are four teams closer to that current second wild card team, which is Minnesota, than the Orioles.

The Red Sox own a 4 1/2-game lead in the AL East and have been alone in first since the end of play on Aug. 1. Boston has won eight of its last 11 games against AL East opponents and is 17-11 since June 3. In their last 21 games since July 31, the Red Sox lead the AL in runs per game (6.05).

Boston is 40-22 (.645) at Fenway Park, which is the best home winning percentage in the AL and the second-best in the major leagues (Los Angeles Dodgers, .785). Boston has won 10 of its last 12 home games and is 28-13 (.683) the last 41 games there.

On the mound tonight, right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (1-2, 6.35 ERA) makes his fifth Orioles start. He gave up three runs in 13 innings in his first two, but has allowed 13 runs in 9 2/3 innings over his last two. He gave up seven runs and five homers last Friday at home in 4 2/3 innings versus the Angels.

As an Oriole, Hellickson has allowed seven hits in 15 at-bats when pitching with runners in scoring position for an average of .467. He has given up two doubles and three homers for a slugging percentage allowed of 1.200 when pitching with RISP.

The 2016 AL Cy Young Winner, right-hander Rick Porcello (8-14, 4.48 ERA) makes his 27th start for Boston. In his past three starts he has thrown well, going 3-0 with an ERA of 2.84.

Porcello has gone 0-2 with an ERA of 3.75 this season in two starts versus Baltimore. In his career he is 4-10 with a 4.75 ERA in 17 starts. But over his past four games against the Orioles, he has four quality starts, going 1-3 with an ERA of 2.48 and .196 average against.

Rosa is an All-Star: The Eastern League announced its postseason All-Star team Friday afternoon and Double-A Bowie Baysox utility man Garabez Rosa was selected to the team for the second straight year. He was the only Bowie player selected.

Rosa was a member of the 2016 All-Star team with former Baysox catcher Chance Sisco. The team is voted on by Eastern League managers, coaches and media.

Rosa is hitting .316 with 13 home runs and 86 RBIs in 114 games. He ranks first in the league in batting average, RBIs and hits with 152. Rosa ranks second in the league in runs scored (70) and total bases (217).

The 27-year-old has played six different positions (first, second and third bases, and all three outfield spots) for manager Gary Kendall's club this season and is the franchise's all-time leader in games played, hits, RBIs, runs scored and doubles. He played his 500th game as a Baysox on May 14 and was selected to play in the 2017 Eastern League All-Star Game earlier this season.

Single-A Frederick right-hander Cody Sedlock is going on the disabled list for the second time this year. He has a strained right forearm. The Orioles' 2016 first round pick, Sedlock is 4-5 with a 5.90 ERA in 20 starts for the Keys. He was on the DL from July 1-22 with a right elbow flexor strain.

Here is a video from the Orioles explaining more about what they are calling "Players Weekend" in Major League Baseball.

#PlayersWeekend is a chance to better know your #Orioles. Watch what they have to say about their nicknames & the people they chose to thank pic.twitter.com/gSjMU447nG

-- Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 25, 2017