The Boston Red Sox (37-35) take one of the best lineups in the American League on the road to face the Minnesota Twins (36-36) at Target Field on Monday to open a four-game series.
The Red Sox are embarking on a seven-game road trip after closing out a productive six-game homestand (4-2).
They won three out of four in their last series against the Yankees, taking both games of a series-ending doubleheader on Sunday at Fenway Park. They followed up a 6-2 win in the opener with a 4-1 victory in the second leg. Triston Casas was 1 for 3 with a double and two RBIs in the finale.
The Twins are kicking off the final series of their 10-game homestand. They lost three of four against the Tigers in their last series, dropping the finale 6-4 on Sunday at Target Field. Christian Vazquez went 1 for 3 with a double and one RBI.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Red Sox have won two of three in the season series between the teams, including an 11-5 victory in their most recent meeting on April 20 at Fenway Park. Starter Tanner Houck got the win, giving up three runs on six hits over seven innings and striking out seven.
ON THE MOUND
James Paxton (2-1, 3.09 ERA) is set for the start for Boston.
The left-hander allowed one run (zero earned) over six innings in his last start, a 4-3 home defeat against the Rockies on June 12. He gave up four hits while striking out eight and walking one in the no-decision.
For Minnesota, RHP Pablo Lopez (3-3, 4.27 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Red Sox.
In his last start on Tuesday, Lopez took a no-decision at home against the Brewers. He threw six innings and gave up three runs on four hits, striking out nine and walking one in the 7-5 victory. The righty ranks third in the AL in strikeouts (101).
AT THE PLATE
The Boston offense is averaging 5.0 runs per game for the season, third-best in the American League, with a slash line of .263/.335/.430. Masataka Yoshida leads the team in OPS at .865.
The left fielder is slashing .308/.381/.483 with seven home runs, 36 RBIs, and 36 runs over 62 games. Over the last five games, however, Boston has averaged 7.4 runs a game while performing better across the board (.318/.382/.514).
Against right-handed pitchers like Lopez this season, the Sox have a .764 OPS. Alex Verdugo is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .900 OPS in 187 at-bats.
Minnesota is slashing .230/.310/.398 for the season and averaging 4.3 runs per game. Byron Buxton leads the team with a .722 OPS. The center fielder has 10 home runs, 23 RBIs, and 31 runs scored with a slash line of .205/.307/.415.
Minnesota is averaging only 3.0 runs per game in the last five with their slash line slipping across the board (.190/.257/.301). The Twins have a .661 OPS against Southpaws in 2023, the third lowest in the league. With a .855 OPS over 61 at-bats, Donovan Solano has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Boston is 16-17 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.1 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Minnesota has gone 21-17 at Target Field this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. Boston is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Target Field between the teams with an average scoreline of 4.4-3.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Red Sox are fifth in the AL East, 12 games behind the division-leading Rays. The Twins lead the AL Central by two games over the Guardians.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Minnesota Twins (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
