(My Sportsbook) - Daisuke Matsuzaka aims to keep a personal winning streak intact when the standout hurler takes the mound this afternoon for the Boston Red Sox, who go for a three-game sweep of the fading Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park.

Matsuzaka has ripped off five consecutive winning decisions to run his season record to an impressive 16-2, and the Japanese sensation has allowed two runs or less in each of those victories. The right-hander has posted an excellent 2.25 earned run average over that six-start stretch.

He came through with a gem last time out, yielding a mere two hits in eight shutout innings to lead the Red Sox to an 8-0 decision over Chicago on Friday.

Matsuzaka owns a recent victory over the Orioles as well, having delivered five innings of two-run ball in a 7-2 triumph at Camden Yards on August 19. That improved him to 2-1 with a 4.79 ERA through four career matchups against Baltimore.

The 27-year-old has also been tough to beat at Fenway Park, where he's compiled a 9-2 mark along with a 2.93 ERA in 13 home outings this season.

Boston's home dominance of the Orioles continued with Tuesday's 14-2 rout that was fueled by a five-RBI night from Dustin Pedroia.

Pedroia, inserted into the cleanup spot last night with first baseman Kevin Youkilis unable to go due to back spasms, finished 3-for-5 with a home run to raise his batting average to .330, tops in the American League at the moment.

David Ortiz went 3-for-3 with four RBI to help the Red Sox to their fourth victory in five games. Coco Crisp also collected three hits and scored three times on the evening.

Jon Lester (13-5) did his part on the mound as well, as the Boston starter held Baltimore to one run on six hits in five innings of work.

Orioles starter Radhames Liz (5-4) was shelled for nine runs and nine hits before exiting after just 3 1/3 frames.

Tuesday's win closed the Red Sox within four games of AL East leader Tampa Bay, which suffered a 7-2 defeat to the Yankees on Tuesday. Boston also extended its margin over Chicago and Minnesota in the Wild Card race to four games after both of those teams lost last night.

Baltimore has now dropped five in a row and 10 of its 11 most recent contests, while falling to a dismal 6-22 over its last 28 encounters with the Red Sox at Fenway. The Orioles are 2-6 as the visitor in this series this year.

Boston sports an 11-6 overall mark against the O's in 2008.

Lance Cormier will attempt to stop the bleeding for Baltimore when he makes his first start of the season this afternoon. The right-hander is subbing for Orioles ace Jeremy Guthrie, who will be skipped a turn in the rotation due to a tired arm.

Cormier has pitched primarily in long relief this season and is 2-3 with a 4.61 ERA in 35 appearances. He was last in action Saturday at Tampa Bay and allowed a pair of runs while recording just two outs.

The 28-year-old is 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA over five previous appearances (1 starts) against Boston, but did hold the Sox to one run over 2 1/3 innings in an August 19 clash in Baltimore.

Youkilis is considered day-to-day with his injury. He was replaced at first base last night by Jeff Bailey, who went 1-for-3 with two runs scored.