Red Sox nearing homefield advantage, continue set against Orioles

The Boston Red Sox have two chances to clinch the best record in the American League Saturday.

The Red Sox can secure the AL's No. 1 seed if Oakland loses at Seattle this afternoon, or if Boston wins tonight against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

The AL East champions turn to Jon Lester for his final start of the regular season. Lester, a candidate to pitch Game 1 of the AL Division Series, is 3-0 over his last four starts and hasn't lost since Aug. 29 against the Orioles. The lefty has given up a total of two runs over his last two starts.

Lester has dominated the Orioles in his career with a 15-3 mark and a 2.80 ERA in 24 contests. The downside is he's 1-2 with a 4.00 ERA against them this season. He is 1-3 in his last four decisions versus Baltimore.

Wei-Yin Chen takes the mound for the Orioles. Chen hasn't received a decision in his last five starts and has only one win over his previous 10 appearances. The lefty is 2-2 with a 5.08 ERA in six games when facing the Red Sox.

Daniel Nava and David Ortiz each slugged a three-run homer, as Boston crushed Baltimore, 12-3, Friday night. Stephen Drew added two hits and drove in three, with Jonny Gomes hitting a solo shot for the Red Sox, who have taken five of seven.

Clay Buchholz (12-1) capped his season with seven effective innings, allowing seven hits and three runs while fanning four.

"It's a good stepping stone," Buchholz said. "I'm just glad the team could score all those runs. There wasn't a whole lot of stress in the outing today."

Adam Jones launched a two-run shot and Chris Davis contributed a homer for the Orioles, who have dropped seven of their last nine.

Scott Feldman (5-6) was tagged in defeat for eight hits and as many runs over just 2 1/3 frames.

"It would've been nice to finish up a little stronger heading to the offseason coming off a good game," Feldman said. "But the bottom line is, we all, everybody in here, wanted to make the playoffs and we didn't do it. Hopefully next year we'll get in there."

The Orioles have a 9-8 edge on the Red Sox this season.