The set-up: The Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles open a critical four-game series Monday at Camden Yards. The Red Sox enter off their first sweep of the Yankees in a series of four or more games in 26 years (since June 4-7, 1990). The weekend's results leave Boston three games up on Baltimore in the AL East, with Toronto one game back of the Orioles. Boston leads all MLB teams in runs scored (5.57 per), BA (.286) and OPS (.821) but Baltimore has hit more HRs (236) than any team in MLB plus ranks third in OPS (.769). Also, the Orioles own one of the best home records in MLB (47-27), as well as owning the second-best home moneyline mark (plus-$1557).

The pitching matchup: Rick Porcello (20-4, 3.12 ERA) tries for win No. 21 Monday night for Boston, opposed by Baltimore's Dylan Bundy (9-5, 3.88 ERA). Porcello had his six-game winning streak snapped by the Orioles last Wednesday at Fenway, losing despite allowing just one run (a solo shot by Mark Trumbo) on four hits over eight innings. Wednesday's 1-0 loss dropped Porcello's career record against Baltimore to 3-8 in 14 starts (teams are 5-9) with a 5.19 ERA. Bundy opened the season with 22 appearances out of the bullpen but will be making his 13th consecutive start. He has won six of his last eight decisions, with four of the victories coming against division leaders. One was recorded at Boston on Tuesday, when Bundy evened his record at 1-1 in six career games (two starts) versus the Red Sox, despite giving up three runs on six hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings (7.45 ERA in those two starts vs. Boston).

The pick: Boston took out its frustrations of losing back-to-back contests against Baltimore by sweeping a four-game set with the New York Yankees over the weekend. After ‘burying' the Yankees, Boston now gets a clear shot at Baltimore. Let's not get ahead of ourselves but Game 1 of the series goes to Boston and Porcello. The Red Sox are a 10* play.