Red Sox-Twins Lines Preview

By JoeDuffy.net Administrator

The Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at The Metrodome.

Ace righthander Josh Beckett will take the mound for the Red Sox to start this game. Beckett is 4-2 this season with a 5.01 ERA.

Beckett‘s opponent in this one will be Anthony Swarzak. The Twins righthander has a 0.00 ERA to go along with a 1-0 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Red Sox listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Twins, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.

The Twins went up 2-1 in their four-game set with Boston on Wednesday, as they came away with a 4-2 victory. The Twins won that game as -145 favorites, while the six runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9.5).

Denard Span went 4-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored for the Twins. Kevin Slowey went six innings for the win, giving up six hits and two runs.

Jason Bay homered in a losing effort for the Red Sox, who were +125 underdogs. Daisuke Matsuzaka gave up nine hits and three runs over five innings.

Current streak:
Boston has lost 2 straight games.
Minnesota has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Boston: 27-20 SU
Minnesota: 24-24 SU

Boston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Toronto are 5-5
After playing Minnesota are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4

Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Tampa Bay are 3-7
After playing Boston are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Boston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Minnesota
Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Boston is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Minnesota is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
Minnesota is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Boston

Next up:
Boston at Toronto, Friday, May 29
Minnesota at Tampa Bay, Friday, May 29