Baltimore Orioles vs Boston Red Sox Picks and Predictions April 2nd 2025

Orioles Aim for First Back-to-Back Wins in Home Clash With Red Sox

The Baltimore Orioles are hoping to build momentum and secure their first consecutive wins of the young season as they face the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night. After alternating wins and losses through the early slate, Baltimore’s 8-5 home opener victory on Monday offered signs that their offense is beginning to click — even without the long ball.

Despite collecting 15 hits, the Orioles didn’t go yard against Boston, a shift from their power displays in Toronto. But manager Brandon Hyde isn’t sweating it, emphasizing the team’s ability to generate offense in other ways.

Follow The Experts With A Proven Track Record—Check Out Best Handicappers Today!

“We’re going to hit our homers,” Hyde said. “I’m not worried about that. I like us putting the ball in play and making things happen. We’re athletic. We can run.”

That balanced attack was on full display Monday, with outfielder Cedric Mullins leading the charge and driving in four runs — all without a home run.

“That’s what we talk about all the time, how do we manufacture runs until the big stick comes up,” Mullins said. “Really leaning off the confidence I had the second half last year.”

Red Sox Still Searching for Rhythm as Lineup Shuffles Continue

Meanwhile, the Red Sox are still trying to find their groove. Manager Alex Cora continues to rotate players through the lineup in the season’s opening week, aiming to get everyone quality at-bats and keep the roster fresh.

“I’ve got to play everybody here,” Cora said. “They need at-bats. It’s the first week of the season.”

That approach paid off on Monday with Rob Refsnyder and Romy Gonzalez each delivering two hits. But Boston’s biggest bat, Rafael Devers, remains ice cold — beginning the season 0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts. The Red Sox need their star designated hitter to break out soon if they want to keep pace in a tough division.

If you’re tracking how these AL East rivals stack up in this early-season stretch, our MLB predictions and betting picks offer a clear picture of where the edge lies.

Pitching Matchup: Eflin vs. Crochet Brings Intrigue

The Orioles will hand the ball to right-hander Zach Eflin (1-0, 3.00 ERA), who was sharp in his debut, allowing two runs on just two hits over six innings in Toronto. Eflin has found consistent success against Boston, sporting a 3-0 record despite a 5.10 ERA across six career starts — including two wins last season with two different teams.

Opposite Eflin will be Boston’s high-priced offseason addition, Garrett Crochet (0-0, 3.60 ERA). The left-hander is fresh off a five-inning, two-run performance against Texas in which he allowed five hits and struck out eight. On Tuesday, he officially signed a massive six-year, $170 million contract, solidifying his role as a centerpiece in Boston’s pitching future.

Crochet has had limited exposure to Baltimore, appearing three times (one start) with a solid 2.25 ERA over eight innings. His biggest challenge may be containing the Orioles’ aggressive baserunning and situational hitting.

Looking to get an edge with tonight’s arms on the mound? Check out all the latest expert MLB picks and odds before placing your bets.

Don’t Let Uncertainty Cloud Your Bets

Tap Into Proven MLB Predictions Now!

Join Now!

Orioles Push Through Injuries With Depth and Fan Support

Beyond the box score, it’s been an emotional week for the Orioles. Closer Felix Bautista made his first home appearance since his injury in 2023, and although he allowed two runs in the ninth, the Baltimore crowd gave him a hero’s welcome.

“Really cool for Felix to feel that love from Baltimore fans,” Hyde said.

Injury concerns continue to affect the Orioles’ roster. Outfielder Colton Cowser is expected to miss up to two months with a broken thumb, while shortstop Gunnar Henderson is nearing a return from a rehab stint in Triple-A.

Looking For Winning Strategies? Explore The Scores And Stats Blog.

But as Hyde emphasized, depth is what keeps this team competitive:

“It gives other guys opportunities,” Hyde said. “It’s not going to be the last injury that we have this season. We’re going to have things pop up. This is why you create depth.”

As Baltimore looks to string together wins and Boston works through lineup adjustments, the second game of this series offers high stakes and plenty of storylines.