Perhaps the wackiest game on the MLB schedule occurred when two MLB teams met for the first time this season. The Boston Red Sox killed their designated hitter, and a pitcher scored the tying run as they beat the Minnesota Twins 5-4 in Tuesday’s series opener.
The win got the Red Sox to 9-9 in the MLB standings, while the Twins fell to 10-7, but not after a replay review on the game-winning hit. Wednesday is the first of two remaining MLB games between the two teams.
Here is a breakdown of each team, the odds, and a Twins vs Red Sox prediction.
Minnesota Twins vs. Boston Red Sox Odds
The Twins are favored for the middle game of the series at -126 on the moneyline and -1.5 (+125) on the run line. The Red Sox are +116 on the moneyline and +1.5 (-145) on the run line. The over/under is 9.0 runs with -120 odds on the under and +100 on the over.
The Twins’ implied team total is 4.5 runs, while the Red Sox’s is 4.0 runs, with -115 odds on either side of each team’s implied team total. Good luck reading the tea leaves for a Twins vs Red Sox prediction.
Minnesota Twins vs. Boston Red Sox Information
Minnesota Twins vs Boston Red Sox
Location of the Game: TD Garden, Boston, MA.
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 19, 2023, 7:10 PM ET.
How to Watch: Bally Sports Network | NESN | MLB Network
Minnesota Twins vs. Boston Red Sox Betting Preview
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins schedule was soft to start but has intensified. Still, they took a series from the defending World Series champions and are in first place in the American League Central. They turn to Joe Ryan, a young righty who is 3-0 with a 2.84 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched, MLB player stats show.
He is part of a pitching staff which ranks second in allowing 2.97 runs per game, limiting opponents to a .202 batting average and a .602 OPS. They also are first in strikeouts with an average of 10.62 per game.
Offensively, though, the Twins have struggled and are 24th in scoring 3.98 runs per game, 26th in hitting .224, and 28th with a .653 OPS. Their 10.03 strikeouts per game are third worst.
Minnesota is 6-5 away from home this season and 5-10-2 on over/unders.
Boston Red Sox
Meanwhile, the Red Sox’s starter could not have had much worse of a start. Corey Kluber is 0-3 with a 6.92 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP, Boston Red Sox stats show. He does not pitch deep into games, either.
Pitching has been suspect for the Red Sox, who are 22nd in allowing 5.26 runs per game, 19th with a batting average against of .254, and 23rd in allowing an OPS of .764. They have been better offensively with good power numbers, ranking sixth in scoring 5.43 runs per game, 20th with a batting average of .241, and 12th with an OPS of .733.
The Red Sox are 6-5 at Fenway Park and 12-6 on over/unders.
Minnesota Twins vs. Boston Red Sox Betting Picks
The MLB injury report shows slugger Joey Gallo is probable to return from a ribs injury for the Twins. But the Red Sox listed versatile infielder Christian Arroyo questionable with a hamstring injury.
But the pitching matchup is what should matter most to those who are making MLB picks. Best tallies that have been made public show that 60% of bettors have the Twins’ moneyline while another 54% are on the over.
That seems to be a solid choice as the over is 6-1-1 in the last eight meetings at Fenway Park and 8-2-1 in the last 11 meetings, regardless of location.
- Our Twins vs Red Sox prediction takes the Twins because of Ryan’s dominance and ability to pitch deep, though he may give up some runs.
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