Scorching Red Sox open set vs. visiting Twins
A less-than-satisfying first year in Boston prompted Hanley Ramirez to alter his swing. Last night, the player and organization alike finally reaped grand benefits from the sizable project.
Ramirez ripped a trio of two-run homers and posted a career-high six RBIs in an 11-7 triumph over San Francsco. The Red Sox reclaimed sole possession of first place in the American League East, too, meaning spirits are incredibly high entering this evening’s series opener vs. Minnesota. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI list John Farrell’s club as a heavy favorite, whereas the Twins represent +175 underdogs. The over/under run figure rests at 10.
Boston continues to clean up at Fenway Park, where the team holds a 32-20 record. Today’s hurler, Steven Wright, clearly relishes the stage there. The knuckleballer is 6-1 with a 3.49 ERA in nine starts in Beantown. Fresh off a Midsummer Classic appearance at Petco Park, he’s also 1-0 with a 1.12 WHIP in two spins against Minnesota.
Paul Molitor’s gang could be sending an equally viable option to the hill in several hours. Tyler Duffey, 3-0 with a 3.13 ERA in his past four outings, last suffered a defeat on June 15. He was bludgeoned by the Red Sox earlier in the campaign, though, surrendering six runs and 10 hits across 5 1/3 innings.
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Here, Duffey hopes to keep the resurgent Ramirez in check. The former Miami standout rarely looked comfortable in 2015, but he’s suddenly scaling the Green Monster on a regular basis. Look for Boston to improve to a season-best 15 games above .500 behind his continued heroics.
THURSDAY MLB FREE PICK: RED SOX -1.5