Aaron Cook

The Red Sox hit the road for their final six games of the season with a chance to play spoiler against the AL East’s top two teams. They begin a three-game series with the surprising Orioles at Camden Yards on Friday night before heading to New York to finish out the season with three games against the division-leading Yankees. Aaron Cook (4-10, 5.13 ERA) is on the mound Friday and looks to help the Sox avoid a seventh loss in eight games.

Cook pitched last Saturday against the Orioles and allowed five runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings. The Sox lost that game in 12 innings, 9-6. Cook hasn’t fared well against the Orioles this season at 0-2 with an 8.78 ERA in three starts.

Orioles catcher Matt Wieters has five hits in eight appearances against Cook lifetime, including four doubles. Mark Reynolds, who has faced Cook the most among active Orioles, has two home runs lifetime.

Chris Tillman (8-2, 3.08) takes the hill for the Orioles. He has been strong in recent outings with a 1.64 ERA over his past four starts. He started against the Sox this past Sunday, allowing one run and six hits over six innings. The Orioles won that game 2-1, although Tillman did not factor in the decision.

Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is 4-for-10 lifetime against Tillman. He’s the only active Sox player with double-figure at-bats vs. Tillman.

The Orioles, a game behind the Yankees and in first in the race for the wild card, lead the season series against Boston 10-5 and are 20 games ahead of the Sox.

Red Sox vs. Tillman (RHP)

Dustin Pedroia (11 plate appearances): .400 BA/.455 OBP/.500 SLG, 1 RBI

Jacoby Ellsbury (6): .167/.167/.167

Danny Valencia (6): .167/.167/.167, 1 RBI

Pedro Ciriaco (5): .250/.400/.250

Scott Podsednik (5): .400/.400/.400, 3 strikeouts

Cody Ross (5): .400/.400/.600, 1 double, 2 strikeouts

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (5): .200/.200/.400, 1 RBI

James Loney (3): .500/.667/.500

Mike Aviles (2): .500/.500/.500

Jose Iglesias (2): .000/.000/.000

Daniel Nava (2): .500/.500/.500

Orioles vs. Cook (RHP)

Mark Rynolds (29 plate appearances): .240 BA/.310 OBP/.600 SLG, 2 home runs, 5 RBIs, 10 strikeouts

Nate McLouth (24): .200/.304/.250, 2 RBIs, 1 strikeout

Endy Chavez (16): .313/.313/.375, 3 strikeouts

Jim Thome (12): .000/.250/.000, 3 walks, 1 strikeout

Wilson Betemit (11): .556/.636/.889, 1 home run, 3 RBIs

Bill Hall (11): .500/.545/.600

J.J. Hardy (8): .143/.250/.143, 1 walk

Adam Jones (8): .125/.125/.500, 1 home run, 4 RBIs

Matt Wieters (8): .714/.750/1.286, 4 doubles, 1 RBI

Chris Davis (7): .571/.571/.571

Manny Machado (5): .400/.400/.600, 1 double, 1 RBI

Nick Markakis (5): .333/.600/.333

Robert Andino (2): .000/.000/.000

Ryan Flaherty (2): 1.000/1.000/2.000

Omar Quintanilla (2): .000/.000/.000