The Boston Red Sox (4-10) and Minnesota Twins (5-11) will open up a three-game American League series on Monday night at Target Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:10 ET
Boston Red Sox at Minnesota Twins
Boston received a much-needed day off due to Mother Nature on Sunday, as the team dropped both games against the New York Yankees over the weekend, including a 15-9 nationally-televised loss on Saturday. “When you’re 4-10, it’s not easy to say that everything is going perfectly,” stated Red Sox first-year manager Bobby Valentine. The club managed to win five of seven meetings with Minnesota a year ago, while the bullpen will receive help from Daniel Bard being skipped in the rotation. Boston is 2-8 versus right-handed starters this year.
Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester (0-2, 5.82 ERA) will look to snap the team’s five-game losing streak, but it’s important to note that the club has lost all three of his outings in 2012. The left-hander is 0-1 with a 2.40 ERA in two road starts, as he’s received just three runs of support. Lester will be making his eight career appearance (seventh start) versus the Twins, coming in with a losing 1-3 record and 4.71 ERA, including an 0-2 mark and 5.84 ERA in two outings at Target Field.
Minnesota returns home after posting a 3-4 record during its seven-game road trip, as it managed to score just three runs in losing its final two games in Tampa Bay. “I feel like we’ve had a good road trip,” commented Twins outfielder Denard Span. The Twins need to find some timely hits against tonight’s opposing starter, as the lineup went 4 for 27 with runners in scoring position against the Rays. Minnesota is 1-3 versus left-handed starters, and 1-4 as a home underdog of +125 to +150 this year.
Twins starting pitcher Jason Marquis (1-0, 7.20 ERA) tallied a 6-5 road win over the New York Yankees in his first start of the year, allowing four runs and seven hits over five frames. The right-hander will be making his fifth career appearance (third start) versus the Red Sox, coming in with an 0-1 record and 2.70 ERA. Marquis will need to pitch carefully to Boston first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who is 6 for 19 (.316) in his career against him. Tonight will be his first-ever start at this venue.
Bettors will likely back the Twins due to their 53-24 record following a road trip of seven or more days, while the Red Sox are 0-4 in Lester’s last four efforts as a road favorite.
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