Orioles and Red Sox lineups at Fenway Park

BOSTON – Colton Cowser gets the start in left field this afternoon, when the Orioles begin a three-game series against the Red Sox. Austin Hays is on the bench against right-hander Brayan Bello.

Ramón Urías is starting at third base and Tony Kemp is at second. Jordan Westburg is one of the reserves.

Urías is 1-for-17 to start the season, but he’s a .359 hitter in 20 career games at Fenway Park. Per STATS, the only Orioles with a higher average here through 20 games are Ryan Flaherty (.388), Ron Hansen (.373) and Trey Mancini (.364). Urías is ahead of Hall of Famer Frank Robinson (.338).

Urias has hit .345 overall against the Red Sox in his career, second among active players behind Freddie Freeman’s .369 average (minimum 100 plate appearances), according to STATS.

Ryan O’Hearn is batting fourth today and serving as designated hitter.

Corbin Burnes makes his third start with the Orioles, moving up a day to prevent a longer period of rest. He’s allowed three runs and 10 hits with no walks and 14 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings.

Burnes made his only career start against the Red Sox on April 23, 2023, in Milwaukee and allowed two earned runs (three total) in five innings.

Per STATS, Burnes’ streak of 108 starts with more strikeouts than walks to begin a career is the second-longest since 1901 behind Chris Sales’ 208. Burnes hasn’t issued a walk among his last 50 batters dating back to September.

Orioles pitchers have walked 18 batters and struck out 87, and their 4.83 strikeout-to-walk ratio is the best in club history over the first nine games, also per STATS. The 18 walks are tied with the 1972 team for fewest through nine games.

Bello has allowed six runs and 10 hits in 10 innings in two starts. He’s made two career starts against the Orioles and surrendered six runs and 10 hits with 11 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings.

Boston finally has its home Opening Day after beginning the season on a three-city trip on the West Coast.

The Orioles began the 2023 season at Fenway Park and lost two of three games. They swept the Red Sox in a three-game series in Boston to start the 2021 season.

The Orioles scored 10 or more runs in three of the six games in Boston last season. Their 8.33 runs per game average ranks fourth all-time in a season (minimum five games), according to STATS.

Nick Pivetta was supposed to start against the Orioles on Wednesday but he’s expected to be scratched due to soreness in his right elbow/forearm.

For the Orioles

Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman C
Anthony Santander RF
Ryan O’Hearn DH
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Cedric Mullins CF
Colton Cowser LF
Ramón Urías 3B
Tony Kemp 2B

Corbin Burnes RHP

For Red Sox

Jarren Duran LF
Rafael Devers 3B
Tyler O’Neill RF
Triston Casas 1B
Masataka Yoshida DH
Ceddanne Rafaeala CF
Enmanuel Valdez 2B
Reese McGuire C
David Hamilton SS

Brayan Bello RHP