Hot-hitting Alex Verdugo will be looking to extend his 10-game hitting streak as the Boston Red Sox (38-35) face off against the Minnesota Twins (36-37) at Target Field on Tuesday.
The Red Sox took Monday’s series opener 9-3, their fifth straight victory overall and third in four games against the Twins this season. Starter James Paxton got the win, giving up three runs on three hits over 6.1 innings and striking out seven.
Jarren Duran was 3 for 3 with three doubles and two RBIs in the win. Verdugo added a triple and four RBIs. Christian Vazquez went 1 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs for the Twins.
ON THE MOUND
Kutter Crawford (1-3, 4.20 ERA) is slated to start for Boston. The righty allowed four runs over four innings in his last start, a 7-6 home defeat against the Rockies on June 13. He gave up five hits while striking out five and walking three in the no-decision.
Crawford is making his first appearance against the Twins this season. Over two appearances (one start) against the Twins in 2022, Crawford was 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA over six innings. He had seven strikeouts and nine walks.
For Minnesota, right-hander Bailey Ober (4-3, 2.65 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Red Sox. Ober made one start against the Red Sox in 2022, throwing six innings in an 8-1 road defeat on April 17.
He gave up four hits and walked one while striking out three in the loss. In his last start on Wednesday, Ober got the win at home against the Brewers. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on six hits, striking out seven and walking one in the 4-2 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Boston has averaged 8.0 runs a game, up from their season average of 5.1, while slashing better across the board (.326/.396/.535).
Against righties like Ober this season, the Sox have a .766 OPS. Verdugo is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .900 OPS in 190 at-bats.
Minnesota is averaging only 2.8 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.3 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.195/.243/.296).
The Twins have a .722 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .788 OPS over 152 at-bats, Byron Buxton has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Boston is 17-17 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Minnesota has gone 21-18 at Target Field this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. In the last 10 games between the teams at Target Field, Boston is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.1-3.9.
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)
Want up to a $1K risk-free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information, and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
