Boston Red Sox (70-43) @ Minnesota Twins (51-63)
Tim Wakefield(6-4, 4.99) @ Scott Baker (8-6, 3.01)
7:10 PM EDT | Target Field (Minneapolis, MN)
TV: NESN, ESPN RADIO: WEEI 850, WWZN 1510
GAME NOTES
After an exciting and productive weekend of baseball for the Red Sox, who took two of three from the Yankees to reclaim sole possession of first place, they start this week with a three game set against Minnesota. The Twins have to be one of baseball’s biggest disappointments this season. Usually tabbed for their stellar defense and blue collar team, the Twins have been one of the games most consistent teams for the past decade. Now its come to people questioning whether the front office really should have forked over all that money to keep hometown hero and flawless human being Joe Mauer in the Twin Cities. Even with the team struggling, Target Field is still a tough place to play for the road team. The park’s expansive caverns eat home runs like Terry Francona consumes Bigelow Tea. (Which, if the promotions are correct, is a quite rapid rate.)
Tim Wakefield tries once again for win 200. His last attempt fell short in the seventh inning against the Indians. He left with a no decision after going six and two-thirds innings while striking out six and surrendering three runs. The Sox ultimately won the game on a Jacoby Ellsbury home run. He has a 6-4 record on the season, with a 4.99 ERA. Scott Baker, one of the few bright spots on this Minnesota team, starts for the Twins. He only pitched three innings in his last start, giving up three runs against the Angels while striking out two. Jed Lowrie was activated from the disabled list for tonight’s game. He’ll start at third base for Kevin Youkilis who is probably just getting a day off.
Lineups
Boston
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
- Carl Crawford, LF
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- David Ortiz, DH
- Jarrod Saltamacchia, C
- Josh Reddick, RF
- Jed Lowrie, 3B
- Marco Scutaro
Minnesota
- Denard Span, CF
- Trevor Plouffe, 2B
- Joe Mauer, C
- Michael Cuddyer, 1B
- Jason Kubel, RF
- Jim Thome, DH
- Danny Valencia, 3B
- Delmon Young, LF
- Matt Tolbert, SS
INJURY REPORT
Boston: Clay Buchholz, lower back strain (placed on 15-day DL June 19, retroactive to June 17); J.D. Drew, left shoulder impingement (placed on 15-day DL July 26); Bobby Jenks, strained back (placed on 15-day DL July 16)
Minnesota: Justin Morneau, left wrist strain (placed on 15-day DL June 14th, retroactive to June 10th, rehabbing now); Alexi Casilla, strained right hamstring (placed on 15 day DL July 28th, rehabbing now)
Stats
-Opponents have a .450 average against Wakefield after he hits 75 pitches.
-Carl Crawford’s .260 average marks the highest it has been this season.
-Boston hasn’t won back to back games in Minnesota in over a decade.
-The Twins come into tonights game having lost 7 of their last 8 games.
-The Sox will play 14 of their next 17 games on the road.
