Twins-Boston series preview

May 5, 2017 at 4:39AM
Boston Red Sox's Chris Sale pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Tuesday, May 2, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Red Sox lefthander Chris Sale will face off against Ervin Santana on Sunday. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

TWINS VS. BOSTON SERIES PREVIEW

THREE-GAME SERIES AT TARGET FIELD

Friday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Phil Hughes (4-1, 5.06 ERA) vs. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (1-1, 2.70)

Saturday, 1:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Nick Tepesch (2017 MLB debut) vs. RHP Rick Porcello (1-4, 4.46)

Sunday, 1:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Ervin Santana (5-0, 0.66) vs. LHP Chris Sale (2-2, 1.38)

TWINS UPDATE

They are 306-304 all-time vs. the Red Sox but have lost the season series in nine of the past 10 seasons. They were 3-4 against Boston last year but were outscored 58-34. … Santana's 0.66 ERA leads the majors. Sunday's game will mark the third time in team history, and first since June 2, 1972 (Jim Kaat 1.11 vs. Mickey Lolich 1.85), that two starters with ERAs below 2.00 (minimum five starts) have faced each other in a Twins game. … The Twins bullpen's 4.04 ERA is a run better than last season's league-worst mark but nearly twice the Red Sox's 2.12 ERA. … Closer Brandon Kintzler is 7-for-7 in save opportunities and has converted 10 in a row.

RED SOX UPDATE

Porcello has 18 quality starts (six innings or more, three runs or fewer) in his past 19 games, but Boston has not scored a run while he has been on the mound in his past four starts, all losses. … RF Mookie Betts has struck out only seven times in 103 plate appearances. … Sale leads the majors in strikeouts with 63; no other pitcher has reached 50 yet. Sale has struck out at least 10 in five consecutive starts. … Craig Kimbrel has 10 saves in 11 opportunities and has retired 30 of the past 32 batters he has faced, 19 by strikeout. … 1B Mitch Moreland has 15 extra-base hits, including a major league-best 13 doubles, among his 27 hits this season. … LHP David Price, 3B Pedro Sandoval and OF Brock Holt are on the disabled list, and the Red Sox announced Thursday that RHP Steven Wright needs season-ending knee surgery.

PHIL MILLER

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