Twins-Boston series preview
July 26, 2018 at 12:05PM
Thursday, 6:10 p.m. • FSN, 830-AM: RHP Kyle Gibson (4-7, 3.57 ERA) vs. LHP Brian Johnson (1-3, 3.81)
Friday, 6:10 p.m. • FSN, 830-AM: RHP Lance Lynn (7-8, 5.23) vs. LHP Chris Sale (11-4, 2.13)
Saturday, 6:10 p.m. • FSN, 830-AM: RHP Jake Odorizzi (4-6, 4.37) vs. RHP Rick Porcello (12-4, 3.93)
Sunday, 12:05 p.m. • FSN, 830-AM: TBA vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi (3-4, 4.26)
Twins update
The Twins won two of three against Boston at Target Field in June, but they have won only two series in Fenway Park since 2006. They have not swept a four-game series in Boston since 1991. … Their Sunday starter will probably be RHP Jose Berrios, 10-7 with a 3.48 ERA this season. Berrios threw seven shutout innings Tuesday in Toronto. … RHP Addison Reed, expected to be activated during the series, pitched in 29 games for Boston last season with a 3.33 ERA before becoming a free agent. … 1B Joe Mauer has a career .260 average at Fenway Park, worst of any current AL stadium, and he's 8-for-49 there (. 163) over the past four seasons. DH Logan Morrison is a .198 hitter in 26 career games there. … Lance Lynn has pitched in Fenway Park twice: He allowed two runs over six innings and got no decision last August, and he faced three batters (and retired none) in Game 6 of the 2013 World Series.
RED SOX UPDATE
At 71-32, the Red Sox are on pace for 112 wins, easily the most in the franchise's 118-year history. Yet they lead the AL East by only 5½ games over the Yankees. Boston went 17-2 to open the season and added a 10-game winning streak this month. The Red Sox are 34-13 at home and have won 10 of their past 11 games there. … Their 551 runs are easily the most in baseball, and their .270 team batting average is best, too. They rank second in the majors in both on-base percentage and slugging. … Boston bolstered its pitching staff Wednesday, acquiring RHP Nathan Eovaldi from Tampa Bay for a minor league pitcher. Eovaldi is 3-4 with a 4.26 ERA. … RF Mookie Betts leads the AL in batting (. 351) and slugging (.668), and he has a .341 average and five home runs in 22 career games against the Twins. … DH J.D. Martinez leads the AL in home runs (31) and RBI (85). He homered Wednesday in Baltimore, but it no longer counts, as the game was rained out with the Red Sox up 5-0 in the second inning. … RHP Craig Kimbrel has 32 saves in 34 opportunities, including his past 23 in a row, and has 63 strikeouts in 42 innings.
Phil Miller
about the writer
A former second-round pick of the Rangers, Alex Speas has pitched in four major league games.
