Ship it up to Boston, folks—Red Sox vs. Twins at Fenway, and if you’re backing the Twins, it’s going to take more than just Joe Ryan’s arm to overcome Boston’s scorching offense. We’ll get into just how bad Minnesota’s offense has been. Below, I’ve got my preview, prediction, and best bet for this Friday night baseball game between the Red Sox and the Twins.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
Red Sox vs. Twins prediction, preview
The Twins are limping into Fenway tonight after dropping three straight, and their struggles to generate offense are becoming increasingly hard to ignore. Joe Ryan (2-2, 3.18 ERA) has been solid on the mound, striking out nearly 10 batters per nine innings, but Minnesota’s offense has faltered. With a team batting average of just .235 and a .369 slugging percentage, they’re anemic at the plate. Ryan’s impressive strikeout rate doesn’t make up for the fact that the Twins are 1-6 in their last seven road games, and their inability to string together runs against top-tier teams has been their downfall. The Twins’ lack of power— 25th in homers—combined with their high strikeout rate, makes it hard to see them solving the Red Sox’s lineup tonight.
Boston, on the other hand, has plenty of offensive firepower. Alex Bregman is hitting .326 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs, leading a Red Sox offense that ranks 4th in MLB with 164 runs scored. Rafael Devers, despite a modest .228 batting average, continues to add power, while superstar-in-the-making Jarren Duran has been electric, batting .279 with 10 stolen bases. The Red Sox’s lineup has enough depth to pounce on Joe Ryan if he makes any mistakes. Brayan Bello (2-0, 3.27 ERA) takes the mound for Boston, and while his ERA is solid, his peripherals show that he’s been a bit lucky to this point. His 1.45 WHIP and a concerning 92% strand rate suggest regression might be looming, but the Red Sox’s offense should be able to make up for it against Minnesota’s faltering bats.
Twins vs. Red Sox pick, best bet
The Red Sox’s recent form is encouraging, with a 6-2 record in their last eight against AL Central opponents. The Twins, by contrast, have that 1-6 record in their last seven road games. To boot, they’re 0-5 in their last five against AL East teams. While there’s some solid pitching in Ryan, it’s hard to overlook their struggles to back him with offense, and their road woes continue to haunt them.
I’m backing the Red Sox to take control of this one. Their offense is clicking, and at home, they’ve shown they can win big. The Twins’ inability to produce runs consistently gives Boston the upper hand. Take Boston on the moneyline, and don’t be surprised if this one goes over, considering Fenway’s hitter-friendly conditions.
Best bet: Red Sox (-120) vs. Twins
Sox bounce back after a tough series against the Jays; tail it with me in the DKN Betting Group here!
Friday Fun at Fenway: Red Sox vs. Twins o9.0 runs (+100)
Let’s send some moonshots to Yawkey Way, shall we?
