BOSTON -- With back-to-back wins at Fenway Park for the first time since 2006, the Twins on Saturday will look to make it three in a row in Boston for the first time since they won five in a row here from 1993-94.
Cole De Vries is looking for his first win since June 30. He is 0-1 with a 4.03 ERA in his past five starts, having left three of those games with a lead that was squandered by the bullpen.
Boston counters with Clay Buchholz, who is 5-1 with a 2.44 ERA in his past nine starts. He has a 5.56 ERA in four career starts against the Twins, and some Minnesota hitters have pretty good numbers against him: Justin Morneau (5-for-11), Denard Span (4-for-10), Joe Mauer (3-for-7), Alexi Casilla (3-for-3), Ben Revere (2-for-3), Josh Willingham (2-for-3).
Stat of the day: The Red Sox are only 27-31 this year at Fenway Park.
Update: Josh Willingham is not in the lineup. He was the DH the first two games here in Boston, so something might be going on. I'll have an update after Manager Ron Gardenhire's pregame media session.
Update: Gardenhire said he just wanted to give Willingham a break against the righthanded Buchholz. Willingham leads the Twins with 102 games played (Mauer is second with 98).
Update: Jacoby Ellsbury was scratched with a leg issue, and Ryan Kalish is taking his place.
Update: Willingham's arm and legs looked fine during batting practice as he practiced making plays on balls off the Green Monster. This really is just a chance to give him a break. Righties are hitting .230 off Buchholz.
