The Minnesota Twins (11-7) are on the road to face the Boston Red Sox (9-10) at Fenway Park on Thursday with the three-game series in the balance.
The Twins leveled the series 1-1 after winning 10-4 on Wednesday. Starter Joe Ryan got the win, giving up three runs on six hits over six innings, and Brent Headrick threw three innings to earn his first save of the season.
Edouard Julien was 3 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs in the win. Trevor Larnach added a home run, two runs, and four RBIs. Kike Hernandez went 2 for 3 with a home run and two runs for the Red Sox.
ON THE MOUND
Kenta Maeda (0-2, 4.09 ERA) is set to get the start for Minnesota. The RHP allowed four runs over six innings in his last start, a 4-3 home defeat against the White Sox on April 10. He took the loss, yielding eight hits while striking out three.
Right-hander Tanner Houck (2-0, 4.50 ERA) gets the start for Boston. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Twins. Houck made one start against the Twins in 2022, throwing 5.2 innings in a 4-0 home win on April 16.
He gave up two hits and walked three, while striking out four in the win. In his last start on Friday, Houck took a no-decision at home against the Angels. He threw four innings and gave up two runs on four hits, striking out six and walking four in the 5-3 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Minnesota has averaged 3.8 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.3. Against righties like Houck this season, the Twins have a .682 OPS. Byron Buxton is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .805 OPS in 50 at-bats.
Boston is averaging only 4.8 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 5.3 for the season. The Sox have a .714 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.042 SLG over 41 at-bats, Adam Duvall has been their best power hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Minnesota is 7-5 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 2.8 runs. Boston has gone 6-6 at home this season, averaging 5.3 runs per game while surrendering 5.7. The teams have split their last 10 meetings head-to-head at Fenway Park, though Boston has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.8-5.3.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Boston Red Sox (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
