Josh Beckett (L), Tommy Hunter (R)

With a magic number of three entering the final three games of the season, the Boston Red Sox know what has to be done to guarantee clinching the AL Wild Card. Tonight, they’ll continue their push towards that in the first of three games against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Today’s first pitch for game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and can be seen on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Orioles television market, you can catch the game on MASN.  Depending on what part of the country you live in, you may also be able to catch the game on the MLB Network. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Josh Beckett makes his 30th and probably most important start of 2011 tonight. In his previous 29 starts, Beckett is 13-7 with a 2.70 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Orioles this year and is 1-1 with a 6.38 ERA. Beckett’s made 17 career starts against the Orioles and is 7-4 with a 3.99 ERA. 11 of those starts have come at Camden Yards where he is 5-2 with a 3.18 ERA.

Tommy Hunter makes his 11th start (12th appearance) for the Orioles and 19th overall appearance this season. In his previous 18 appearances (10 starts) between the Orioles and Rangers, Hunter is 4-4 with a 4.86 ERA. With the Orioles, he is 3-3 with a 5.30 ERA in 11 appearances (10 starts). He’s made one start against the Red Sox this season which came in his last start on September 21st. In that start, he picked up a no decision after allowing four runs in 6.2 innings of work. He’s made five career starts against the Red Sox and is 2-1 with a 7.50 ERA (21 ER/24 IP).

Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the overnight and day if you’re on the home page.

Here are this evening’s lineups:

Boston Red Sox89-70 Baltimore Orioles67-92
1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF 1. Matt Angle LF
2. Carl Crawford LF 2. J.J. Hardy SS
3. Dustin Pedroia 2B 3. Nick Markakis RF
4. David Ortiz DH 4. Vladimir Guerrero DH
5. Adrian Gonzalez 1B 5. Matt Wieters C
6. Jed Lowrie 3B 6. Adam Jones CF
7. J.D. Drew RF 7. Mark Reynolds 1B
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C 8. Chris Davis 3B
9. Marco Scutaro SS 9. Robert Andino 2B
Josh Beckett SP Tommy Hunter SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:

Boston Red Sox @ Baltimore Orioles batter/pitcher matchups

Notes: Catcher Luis Exposito has been called up and added to the active roster. Jason Varitek was in the original starting lineup but was replaced by Salty.

Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

The turning point? How Sox hope to use dramatic win as springboard [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Ellsbury has his MVP moment [Chad Finn’s Touching All The Bases]

Red Sox release statement on John Lackey [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox’ Kevin Youkilis unlikely to play this week [Clubhouse Insider]

Wild-card race to dictate if Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz will pitch Wed. [Clubhouse Insider]

Jason Varitek scratched; Jarrod Saltalamacchia to catch [Clubhouse Insider]

Report: Sox still looking to trade for a single start [CSN New England]

Nation STATion: Peaks and Valleys [CSN New England]

Latest Red Sox win a sigh of relief [CSN New England]

If the end is near, Wakefield isn’t thinking about it [CSN New England]

Papelbon: Sox have to ‘grind and shine’ [CSN New England]

Notes: Varitek replaced in lineup by Saltalamacchia [CSN New England]

Three days in September [ESPN Boston]

Clay may pitch Wed. if game meaningless [ESPN Boston]

If berth on line, Lester will start Wednesday [ESPN Boston]

Youkilis unlikely to play vs. Baltimore [ESPN Boston]

Could Sox still be shopping? [ESPN Boston]

Ask Nick: Do Red Sox miss Victor Martinez? [Extra Bases]

Pondering a postseason roster [Extra Bases]

More on Jacoby Ellsbury’s historic season [Extra Bases]

Pre-game notes from Camden Yards [Extra Bases]

Jonathan Papelbon: ‘I feel like I could pitch until December’ [Full Count]

Red Sox Find Rare Good Fortune, Thanks in Part to Opportunities Created by September Baseball [NESN.com]

David Ortiz, POPchips Offering Opportunity to Win Big Papi’s Presence at Event of Your Choosing [NESN.com]

Yankees Prepared to Back Off As Rays Go All In for Final Series of Season, Which Could Make Life More Difficult for Red Sox [NESN.com]

Red Sox, Rays Would Play One-Game Playoff Thursday If Tied, Angels Could Still Make Scenario a Mess [NESN.com]

Red Sox Continue to Rank Last in Baserunning Metric, One Major Issue in September Swoon [NESN.com]

Jon Lester Will Start on Short Rest in Season Finale If Needed [NESN.com]

Clay Buchholz Could Pitch Wednesday in Baltimore After Throwing Simulated Games in Recent Days [NESN.com]

Rays Elect to Have Red Sox, Angels Play Thursday, Play Winner Friday If Three Teams Are Tied for Wild Card [NESN.com]

Red Sox Bullpen Comes Up Huge Against Yankees, Shows It Could Potentially Be Strength Going Forward [NESN.com]

Buck Showalter Leaves Orioles Dugout Right Before Game With Red Sox, Team Says He Suffered Ankle Injury [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury Voted Winner of 2011 Chevy 10th Player Award by Fans for Performing Above and Beyond Expectations [NESN.com]

David Ortiz Says Whoever Has Insisted Red Sox Haven’t Been Feeling Pressure Lately ‘Is Lying’ [NESN.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Orioles and Magic Numbers [Projo Sox Blog]

Ellsbury has been at his best while his team has been at its worst [Projo Sox Blog]

Bounced from a bar in Buffalo [Projo Sox Blog]

No “clear role” for Exposito leaves Lavarnway in emergency role [Projo Sox Blog]

Varitek in the lineup, Exposito called up in reserve [Projo Sox Blog]

Buchholz could pitch for Sox Wednesday [Projo Sox Blog]

Lester in line for Wednesday [Projo Sox Blog]

Sox don’t expect favors from Yanks [Projo Sox Blog]

Drew gets nod in RF again [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox would host two playoff games in case of three-way tie [Projo Sox Blog]

Youkilis return “an uphill battle” [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox begin critical final series behind Beckett [RedSox.com]

No rest for the Red Sox [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

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Photo credits:  Getty Images, Getty Images