The Twins finally got on the board in their four-game series against the Red Sox as they beat reigning AL Cy Young Rick Porcello last night, 4-1. With the win, the Twins remain a half-game back of the AL Central-leading Indians.
Tonight’s starter, Kyle Gibson, will be looking to salvage split of the series when he takes the mound. Gibson is having easily his best month of the season in June. He’s 3-1 with a 4.13 ERA, over two runs higher than his season ERA of 6.23. Gibson lasted just 4.2 innings in his last outing against the Indians, as he lost his command and racked up four walks. However, he did allow just one run on four hits.
Gibson has three career starts against the Red Sox. He’s 1-1 in those games, with a 2.61 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 20.2 innings. He’s actually fared better away from home this season. He’s 3-1 with a 5.28 ERA and a .265 batting average allowed on the road, significant improvements over his 1-4, 7.08 ERA and .364 average at home.
The Red Sox remain unable to string more than two wins together. After yesterday’s loss, Boston is now just 6-7 in its last 13 games, and has won back-to-back games just once during that span.
David Price will be tasked to get Boston back on track as he gets the start at home. The lefty has still not been able to discover top form six starts into his injury-delayed season. Price did have a decent start last time out as he went six innings and gave up two earned runs on six hits.
However, he’s still having a lot of trouble getting deeper into games. He’s completed seven innings just once in his six starts, and his pitch count has topped 100 in his last four starts despite going just six innings max.
Price lost his first start against the Twins for the Red Sox last season. But prior to that, his teams had gone 7-2 in his starts against Minnesota.
Writer’s Prediction
Price has a solid performance and leads the Red Sox (-185) to a win at Fenway.
