Worth noting

• The Red Sox entered the Baltimore series having scored 78 more runs than they've allowed, the second-best run differential in the American League and third best in the Major Leagues. Only Detroit (81) had better numbers in the AL, with St. Louis (plus-101) leading the Majors.

• Ryan Dempster is the scheduled starter in Friday's game versus the Orioles. He's pitched in 560 games, but this is going to be his first career appearance at Camden Yards.