Boston Red Sox vs. Minnesota Twins Prediction: Can the Twins Spoil the Red Sox Home Opener at Fenway?
Boston Red Sox vs. Minnesota Twins Prediction: Can the Twins Spoil the Red Sox Home Opener at Fenway?
Last season, the Minnesota Twins had high expectations and fell off rather quickly. This year, expectations were a bit higher in comparison to last year's results with the addition of Carlos Correa and Gary Sanchez. But currently, the Twins are just 2-4 and are getting close to having another meltdown of a season.
I know it's early and I know there's no panic just yet. But a series win over the Boston Red Sox would be a huge momentum swing for Minnesota, on the road. Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Friday's game between the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox.
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Red Sox vs. Twins Start Time and Where to Watch
- Date: April 15, 2022
- Game Time: 2:10 pm ET
- Where to Watch: NESN/BSNO
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Red Sox vs. Twins Injury Report
Twins
Out: 1B Alex Kirlloff (Wrist)
Red Sox
Questionable: OF Jarren Duran (Illness)
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Red Sox vs. Twins Line Movement
Boston Red Sox vs. Minnesota Twins Prediction
The Boston Red Sox will take on the Minnesota Twins in their home opener. Nick Pivetta will get the start for the Red Sox after allowing four runs on four hits in 5.2 innings against the Yankees in his first start of the season. Pivetta gave up three walks, two home runs, and 11 fly balls while only inducing five ground balls along with four strikeouts.
Pivetta, dating back to last year, has an xFIP of 4.50 with 9.8% walks. He rarely induces ground balls and gives up over 40% hard contact. Lefties have an ISO of .169 against Pivetta while righties have an ISO of .203 against Pivetta.
In the Twins lineup, there's a whole lot of power. Using last year's stats with this year's stats, the Twins' projected lineup has a .207 ISO and wOBA of .334 against righties. The Twins have also walked 9.4% of the time against righties. All nine projected batters have a high hard-hit rate and a low ground ball rate. As long as the Twins can make contact against Pivetta, good things will more than likely happen.
On the other hand, Joe Ryan will take the hill for the Twins. Ryan pitched so well in Spring Training that he was given the nod to be the Opening Day starter for the Twins. Ryan has a 5.58 xFIP dating back to last season but that's using just above 100 plate appearances. Ryan can earn a ton of strikeouts and has limited line-drive contact very well dating back to last season.
The Red Sox have some potential offensively when it comes to power knowing that Ryan has given up an ISO of .200 or higher to lefties and righties. But you'd also have to imagine that Ryan has improved and could keep the power down this season in his first full year on an MLB mound.
With that said, I'll be riding the Minnesota Twins on the team total in the first five innings at Over 2.5 +100.
Boston Red Sox vs. Minnesota Twins Pick
- Twins Over 2.5 Team Total +100 (Bet $100 to Win $100)
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Article Author
Jason grew up an avid sports fan. His passion for sports writing grew in high school and he developed a blog that was strictly for New York Sports. From his work, you will quickly realize that he loves looking at games from an analytical and numbers perspective and hopes to provide you with that same perspective in his articles.