Orioles Silence Fenway, Expose Bennett's Mortality in 5-1 Rout
Unknown
Posted Jul 23, 2026, 2:50 AM
So much for that "massive starting pitching advantage." Jake Bennett got absolutely worked at Fenway, and the Orioles made our Red Sox pick look foolish in a businesslike 5-1 beatdown that wasn't even that close.
Dean Kremer—the guy we essentially dismissed with that 4.15 ERA—pitched like an ace when it mattered, keeping Boston's anemic lineup off-balance all night. Meanwhile, Bennett's sparkling 2.35 ERA took a beating as Baltimore's bats found every gap in the park. The Orioles didn't need heroics; they just needed competent at-bats against a pitcher we oversold based on season-long numbers rather than current form.
Boston's offense, which we correctly identified as below-average at .244, somehow managed to be even worse than advertised. One run at home against a pitcher we projected as vulnerable? That's not just underperforming—that's embarrassing. The 14-game winning streak we leaned on as context? Turns out past results don't pitch innings or get hits.
Baltimore's 7-3 recent form wasn't window dressing—it was a warning sign we ignored. They came into Fenway, took care of business, and reminded everyone that starting pitching edges mean nothing if your offense can't scratch across two runs. Tough loss. The Orioles were the better team tonight, full stop.