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GameThread: Twins @ Red Sox, Game 70

The Twins finally lost a series against an AL East opponent, but they hope to still salvage one game against the Red Sox.

By Andrew Bryzgornia

First Pitch: 12:35 PM CST


TV: FSN


Radio: 96.3 KTWIN, TIBN


Know Thine Enemy: Over the Monster


Losing two games against Boston isn't too surprising. However, losing by scores of 1-0 and 2-1 at Fenway Park is not what I'd have expected. The Twins have definitely done enough to win these games, but they just haven't been able to find any clutch hitting.


No Oswaldo Arcia in the lineup today, as he's really been struggling lately. Also, we should expect some news either after the game or early tomorrow on who is being sent down to make room for Yohan Pino. The foregone conclusion has been that Mike Pelfrey will be placed on the 60-day disabled list, but the corresponding 25-man roster move is still unknown. Ron Gardenhire said it will be a pitcher, but no one has really been awful except Jared Burton. Would the Twins be bold enough to DFA him and save Pelfrey to the 60-day DL to make room for someone else?


Kyle Gibson takes the mound for the Twins, and while his success has been a bit luck-aided this year, it's still nice to see him rebound from a tough rookie season. His 3.55 ERA is second on the team among starters thanks to a low .266 BABIP allowed, along with a nice 0.47 HR/9 (major league average is around 1.00). In spite of his low strikeout rate, he's put together a nice year so far.


Opposing him on the mound is John Lackey, who has turned into the pitcher the Red Sox were expecting when they signed him back in 2010 from the Angels. Despite a rough 2011 and then missing 2012 because of Tommy John surgery, Lackey has returned to form from posting a career low walk rate, along with the best velocity of his career. The Twins may have some trouble avoiding the sweep today with him on the mound.


By the way, it appears as though the Twins will be using the two center fielders, two third basemen, and no catcher or shortstop defense today, according to the lineup sheet posted in the clubhouse. It's a bold strategy, Cotton, let's see if it pays off for them.


Twins


  1. Danny Santana, CF

  2. Brian Dozier, 2B

  3. Joe Mauer, 1B

  4. Josh Willingham, LF

  5. Kendrys Morales, DH

  6. Chris Parmelee, RF

  7. Eduardo Escobar, 3B

  8. Eric Fryer, C

  9. Pedro Florimon, SS


SP Kyle Gibson




Red Sox


  1. Brock Holt, RF

  2. Xander Bogaerts, 3B

  3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

  4. David Ortiz, DH

  5. Mike Napoli, 1B

  6. Daniel Nava, LF

  7. A.J. Pierzynski, C

  8. Stephen Drew, SS

  9. Jackie Bradley, Jr., CF


SP John Lackey

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