Orioles get breather before facing Sox

BALTIMORE -- It doesn't get any easier. The Orioles get a day off on Thursday to catch their breath after taking a series from the Yankees, but they'll open up a four-game series with the defending World Series champions on Friday. Baltimore is 11-13 against American League East opponents this season, a mark that includes a 2-0 record against the Red Sox.

Baltimore manager Dave Trembley has been pleased with his team's play, but knows that it's still very early.

"Every game's been a war. You'd better bring your 'A' Game," he said of playing against his team's division rivals. "You'd better be ready. Don't show disrespect to your opponent by taking for granted that they're a pushover -- because they're not. I think in some cases, to be honest with you, we've had the benefit of that from other clubs."

Boston didn't have too many speed bumps against the American League East last season, but it's started off with an 8-11 record against division rivals this season. The Orioles have lost this season series nine times in the last 11 years, but Trembley knows there's only one way that his team can hope to earn respect -- and that's by winning on the field.

"They don't give it to you. You earn it," he said. "And in this division, people beat up on each other. Right now, because there's a lot of young players, there's a lot of unheralded clubs. There's a lot of guys getting opportunities that they never got before and they're making the most of it. ... That's great for baseball. I think that's going on everywhere -- not just in our division."

Pitching matchup
BAL: RHP Daniel Cabrera (5-1, 3.70 ERA)
Cabrera lost his last outing, but fired eight straight quality starts prior to that result.

BOS: RHP Josh Beckett (5-4, 4.43 ERA)
Beckett is 3-0 with a 5.40 ERA at home and 2-4 with a 3.89 mark on the road.

Bird bites
The Orioles are 16-8 at home and 2-8 in games decided by two runs. Baltimore is also 12-8 in one-run games. ... The Orioles had two bunt hits on Wednesday night and only had four all year prior to that. ... Third baseman Melvin Mora provided all of Baltimore's offense with a two-run homer on Wednesday and has had two straight three-hit games.