In a game that could be a shootout, Phil Hughes (4-4, 4.59 ERA) and the Minnesota Twins (30-19) are in Boston to square off against Rick Porcello (4-4, 5.37 ERA) and the Red Sox (22-29). This is the first of a four-game series at Fenway Park. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jun. 2 and can be seen on FSN-N and NESN.
Porcello is 8-8 with a 4.10 ERA in his appearances against the Twins, and goes up against a quality Minnesota offense which is batting .257 this season. Hanley Ramirez (.261, 28 Rs, 12 HRs, 27 RBIs, 2 SBs) continued his strong play Sunday, going 2 for 5 with one run, one RBI, and one stolen base. Against the Red Sox, Hughes is 6-8 with a 5.14 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 81 strikeouts. Brian Dozier (.258, 41 Rs, 9 HRs, 25 RBIs, 3 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Twins, going 3 for 4 Sunday with three runs.
Boston is a -138 favorite against Minnesota and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Red Sox have an overall money line of -1,207 and a record as the favorite of 13-19. Boston’s batters do not strike out very often, with only 6.4 per game.
In the other locker room, Minnesota is coming in with an overall money line of +1,726 and an impressive record of 24-16 as the dog. They played solid baseball as the underdog over their last 10 games with an 8-1 record, and an 8-2 record SU. Offensively, they average 4.6 runs per game, which is good for third in the AL. The Twins are tough outs for opponents, ranking fifth in the AL with 8.7 hits per game. The Twins allow 4.2 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 3.0 runs per game during that span.
The Twins have the edge in the season series, 3-0. The Red Sox have a 15-21 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Hughes takes the mound. Porcello (RHP) will be on the hill against the Twins, who have a 15-13 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – MIN, O/U – Over
Notes
Boston recorded at least two errors for the seventh time this season.
The Twins are 3-1 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Red Sox are 2-1 in such matchups.
The Twins are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded six strikeouts. The Red Sox have a record of 13-17 when opponents’ pitchers have that many strikeouts or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Red Sox are 4-25. The Twins have a 6-18 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 25th in home runs, Minnesota has hit 39 this season. Boston ranks 13th with 49 home runs.
Ranking 12th, Boston is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.22 per game. Minnesota ranks in the top five at fifth with 8.69.
Ranking 22nd, Boston is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.685). Minnesota ranks in the bottom half at 19th with an OPS of .700.
The Twins are 17-14 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Red Sox are 8-25 when they allow at least one homer.
