In the grand scheme of things, Wednesday night's game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards probably won't mean much. 2012 has turned into a lost season for the Red Sox, who have struggled under new manager Bobby Valentine, and while the Orioles are in the thick of the wild card race, a Wednesday night game against the Red Sox isn't going to make or break Baltimore's bid to return to the postseason for the first time since 1997.
However, a minor annoyance for one of Boston's biggest fans could be put to rest in Wednesday night's game, which will see Aaron Cook (3-5, 4.70 ERA) take the mound opposite the Orioles' Miguel Gonzalez (4-2, 3.42 ERA).
Ever since actor Ben Affleck enjoyed his breakout moment in 1998 with the Academy Award-winning Good Will Hunting, the Red Sox have lost every game they've played on the actor/director's birthday, August 15. The record heading into Wednesday night stands at 0-12, including an 0-8 record at Fenway Park and an 0-7 record in one-run games.
In the history of the Red Sox, it doesn't exactly rate, but as Affleck turns 40 on Wednesday, he'd no doubt appreciate a "birthday gift" from his favorite team, especially after ESPN's Sportscenter featured the streak on Wednesday.
Affleck's next film, Argo, is scheduled to hit theaters on October 12.
