We’re considering this Boston Red Sox pick for this weekend. The pick is the Red Sox taking three straight from the Minnesota Twins. The Boston Red Sox (54-39) are currently the hottest team in baseball. Going into the All-Star Break, they won four straight and went 7-2. In the first week since the break, they have won five and lost one, taking two of three from the Bronx Bombers and both games from the visiting San Francisco Giants.
In putting together this Red Sox pick, we’ve noted that in their previous series with Minnesota the Sox were 2-1. That loss was in extra innings. At the same time, you’ve got to consider that this is Minnesota. The Twins (35-60) may be the worst team in baseball. Plus, they are an abysmal road club. Their away record stands at 15-31. That is the worst road mark in the AL. The Red Sox are 33-20 at Fenway, which is the best home record in the league.
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The Red Sox are on fire. It’s true that their young hitters are doing a great job. But it’s also true that their vets, Ortiz and Pedroia, are preforming at peak level. This is a team that can hit, and they love hitting at Fenway. No team in the Majors has scored more runs, 528, than Boston. Also, no team in MLB has given up more runs than the Twins, 498. The run differential for the Sox is +88, while for Minnesota it is -83. That’s a 171 run difference!
To their credit, the Twins have been a .500 club over the past ten games. They have tended to go 1-2 in three-game series. They did that recently against the Tigers and the Indians. Prior to the break they took three of four from the Texas Rangers. The Twins are no pushover.
Other Observations
The series started last night with the Red Sox annihilating Minnesota 13-2. The balls were flying off the bats. The Sox had ace Steven Wright on the mound and he was commanding. He went eight innings and allowed one earned run while walking one and striking out 9. Minnesota went to its bullpen in the third and used three relievers last night.
The best chance that the Twins have of avoiding a sweep is tonight. That’s because the Red Sox start Eduardo Rodriguez (7.18 ERA, 2-3). He’s had a tough season, but in his last start he performed well. That was a 5-2 win versus the Yanks where he went seven innings and allowed four hits and one earned run.
However, in developing our Red Sox pick we have to note that the Twins will start the struggling Kyle Gibson (5.12 ERA, 2-6). Gibson has been roughed up in his last two starts, losing both while allowing four earned runs in each and giving up a total of 17 hits over 11 innings.
If the Sox are hitting, and they should be, they will most likely take this game.
Red Sox Pick
After thrashing the Twins last night, our Red Sox pick has Boston dominating the Twins for the rest of the weekend. Can they win they next three games? They should at least take two of three, and that means if you bet them to win all three you’ll be ahead.
With this Red Sox pick, betting unit breakdown is important. On the Friday night game, go with two units. On Saturday put one unit on Boston. Price is pitching for Boston, and he is in a funk. Although we noted that tonight’s game had the potential to go the way of the Twins, Saturday actually looks more promising for Minnesota.
The final game features Rick Porcello (3.47 ERA, 12-2) starting for Boston. He’s been hot. Our Red Sox pick for Sunday has Boston for two or three units.
Red Sox Pick: Boston Fri for 2 Units, Sat for one Unit, Sun for 2 or 3 Units
