The Boston Red Sox host the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday afternoon in the third game of a three-game set. The Twins had a pretty strong run going at Fenway entering this series, but the Red Sox have rung off two low-scoring wins in a row, and will be looking for a series sweep on Wednesday. <\/p>\n
Minnesota Twins (32-37) at Boston Red Sox (33-38)<\/strong>
\nDate: Wednesday, June 18, 2014<\/strong>
\nTime: 1:35 PM ET<\/strong>
\nVenue: Fenway Park<\/strong>
\nCity: Boston. Massachusetts<\/strong>
\nO\/U Odds: 8.5<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Boston -170, Minnesota +156<\/strong>
\nPitching Matchup: RH Kyle Gibson (6-5, 3.55 ERA) at RH John Lackey (8-4, 3.24 ERA)<\/strong>
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The Red Sox have had their share of troubles at the plate lately, but that hasn\u2019t stopped them from picking up a pair of wins over the Twins to start this series. The team got strong starts from Rubby De La Rosa and Jon Lester to come away with 1-0 and 2-1 wins to start the series.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday they will turn to John Lackey. He’s quietly been very strong for the team this season, leading them to wins in three of his last four starts. In his last outing, Lackey surrendered three runs on seven hits in 6 \u2154 innings of work against the Cleveland Indians in a 10-3 victory.<\/p>\n
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Lackey hasn\u2019t faced the Twins yet this season, but he did face them twice last season. In those two outings, Lackey when 13 innings strong, allowing only one earned run on just seven hits. However, he did surrender five unearned runs thanks to some bad luck behind him.
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\nThe Twins counter with Kyle Gibson who has been red hot of late. In his last two outings, Gibson has fared well against two teams that hit the ball well, holding the Astros and Tigers scoreless in 14 innings of work, allowing only eight hits.<\/p>\nThe Red Sox have turned things around after a slow start, and as we\u2019ve seen in the past, they\u2019re really doing a good job of taking care of business in their home ballpark. While runs will likely be at a premium again in this side, expect the home side to again come out on top.<\/p>\n
Lackey\u2019s numbers against the Twins last season are actually silly. Not only did he only allow seven hits and one earned run in 13 innings of work, he only walked one batter while striking out 13 along the way. That\u2019s a stat line that has to strike some fear into the Twins.<\/p>\n
On the flip side, expect Gibson to take care of his end as well. He\u2019s held three of the last four opponents he\u2019s faced without a run. The Red Sox will also be getting their first look at him, which is always tough.<\/p>\n
The Red Sox are 9-0 in Lackey\u2019s last nine home starts versus teams with a losing record, and they are 9-2 in their last 11 home games.<\/p>\n
The under is 6-1-1 in the Twins\u2019 last eight starts, and it is 17-3-1 in the Red Sox last 21 games following a win.<\/p>\n