Upcoming roster moves and tonight's game

While wondering if anyone cares that I went 12-3-1 picking against the spread in NFL games ...

The Orioles haven't tinkered with their roster since reinstating shortstop J.J. Hardy from the disabled list on Sept. 8 and recalling outfielder Dariel Alvarez from Single-A Frederick. That's an entire week.

More changes could be coming today. The Orioles would like to act quickly now that Triple-A Norfolk has been eliminated from the International League playoffs, losing the Game 5 semifinal last night to Columbus 5-0.

Tyler Wilson hasn't pitched since going five innings Thursday night for the Tides. May as well bring him back and decide whether he works out of the bullpen or replaces Mike Wright in the rotation while Miguel Gonzalez remains on the disabled list.

First baseman Christian Walker also is a prime candidate. Manager Buck Showalter thinks he's deserving of another promotion after a strong second half.

Reliever Oliver Drake is under consideration, but the Orioles may want to shut him down after he threw 54 2/3 innings between Norfolk and the majors.

Drake, 28, is a favorite to be named the organization's minor league Pitcher of the Year after going 1-2 with a 0.82 ERA and 23 saves in 42 appearances. He allowed four earned runs and 23 hits in 44 innings with 16 walks and 66 strikeouts.

Infielder Rey Navarro has been discussed. There was some debate whether he should have been summoned ahead of Paul Janish, who's considered the better defender at shortstop.

I do know there's no longer space for me at the team hotel for the Rays series later this week. The extra rooms will be occupied by extra players. I'm on my own.

The Orioles are alone in third place in the American League East, but they remain six games behind the Rangers for the second wild card with only 19 remaining. The Twins, Angels and Indians are ahead of them.

The Orioles are 10-4 against the Red Sox this season with two more games here and three at Fenway Park on Sept. 25-27. They've shut out Boston twice, including a 1-0 win on June 9 at Camden Yards.

Ubaldo Jimenez has struggled against the Red Sox in his career, going 2-3 with an 8.06 ERA in nine starts. He tossed 3 2/3 hitless innings on April 17 at Fenway Park before his ejection for hitting Pablo Sandoval. Home plate umpire Jordan Baker was overmatched that day.

Jimenez faced the Red Sox again on June 23 and allowed three runs and six hits in five innings with three walks and eight strikeouts. He's won his last two starts, permitting four runs over 12 1/3 innings.

Sandoval is 13-for-36 with two doubles, a triple, two home runs and 10 strikeouts against Jimenez. David Ortiz is 2-for-17 with a home run.

Joe Kelly has won his last eight starts for the Red Sox, improving to 10-6 with a 4.70 ERA in 24 outings. He's allowed two earned runs or fewer in his last seven starts.

Kelly was 2-5 with a 5.67 ERA in 14 starts in the first half. He's 8-1 with a 3.45 ERA in 10 starts since the All-Star break.

Kelly is 1-2 with a 4.76 ERA in four career starts against the Orioles and 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in his only start at Camden Yards. He allowed two runs and four hits over 5 2/3 innings on April 17 and five runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings on June 23.

Chris Davis is 3-for-5 with a double against Kelly, J.J. Hardy is 2-for-5, Steve Pearce is 2-for-6, Caleb Joseph is 1-for-6 with a home run and Jonathan Schoop is 0-for-7.