It is a true rubber game in the April 17th Twins at Red Sox betting matchup, with the first two contests of the series having very different outcomes. Minnesota found their offense on Friday afternoon in an 8-4 win to spoil Boston’s home opener, but the Sox bounced back on Saturday to get the 4-0 takedown.
The Red Sox (4-4) have now won three of their last four while the Twins (3-5) have dropped three of their last four. Boston would seem to have some value with just a -120 price tag at home on Sunday afternoon.
What Happened to Friday’s Minnesota Offense?
The Twins had their second best offensive outing of the season on Friday in what was also their first road game. Miguel Sano had a HR and Luis Arraez knocked in two as the Twins brought home an 8-4 win as +115 underdogs.
Friday’s hot hitting was nowhere to be found on Saturday, with Minnesota managing just 5 hits in the 4-0 loss, the second time in the last three games the Twins have been shutout. Rocco Baldelli’s squad just wrapped up a 2-game sweep at the hands of the Dodgers, losing 7-2 and 7-0 to finish 2-4 on the opening home stand in the Twin Cities.
Minnesota has already been struck by the injury bug just two weeks into this young season. Alex Kirilloff is suffering some inflammation in his surgically repaired wrist while Byron Buxton has suffered his first injury of the year with some knee issues. Combine that with Carlos Correa starting the year 4-26 (.154) with 11 K’s and the Twins offense could be in some trouble on Sunday.
Boston in a Good Spot
The Red Sox will try to take two of three in their first home series of the season. Their offense is starting to find a groove with 4+ runs scored in four straight games, with Xander Bogaerts and Alex Verdugo HRs doing the damage in Saturday’s 4-0 win with a -139 price tag.
Verdugo also had a long ball on Friday as did Rafael Devers, but getting just 2.0 IP out of starting pitcher Nick Pivetta (4ER) is what doomed the Sox. Tanner Houck did a nice job of pitching into the 6th on Saturday in a depleted bullpen day, and Michael Wacha will try to follow that up in his first home start in the April 17th Twins at Red Sox betting matchup. Wacha went 4.1 IP giving up just 2 hits and 1 ER in his team debut last week but was held to 72 pitches due to the shortened Spring training.
Free April 17th Twins at Red Sox Betting Pick
Minnesota starter Bailey Ober is in a tough spot after allowing 4 ER over 5.0 IP in his season opener. He’ll need to go deep though after starter Sonny Gray went just 1.2 IP after leaving with hamstring tightness. Luckily Josh Winder was able to pick up 5.1 IP, but the Minnesota bullpen is still a bit thin for Sunday’s contest. Combine Minnesota’s recent offensive woes and the Red Sox trying to get the series win in their opening weekend at Fenway and Boston looks like the play.
Free Pick: Red Sox -120
