Fans are back to Fenway Park for the first time of the 2022 campaign tomorrow. The Red Sox and Minnesota Twins face off in a wraparound weekend series. The fourth game will be played on Patriot’s Day at 11 AM eastern time, with the Boston Marathon starting before then. The first game, on the 15th, will be Jackie Robinson day, and every player will be wearing the number 42. The Red Sox return home with a 3-3 record, most recently winning two of three in Detroit. The Twins travel to Boston with a record of 2-4, being swept in a two-game series against the Dodgers.
Probable Pitchers
Friday (2:10 EST): RHP Joe Ryan (0-1, 4.50 ERA, 4 K’s, 4IP) vs RHP Nick Pivetta (0-1, 6.35 ERA, 4 K’s, 5.2 IP)
Saturday (4:10 EST): RHP Sonny Gray (0-0, 3.86 ERA, 4 K’s, 4.2 IP) vs RHP Tanner Houck (0-0, 8.10 ERA, 3 K’s, 3.1 IP)
Sunday (1:35 EST): RHP Bailey Ober (1-0, 7.20 ERA, 4 K’s, 5.0 IP) vs RHP Michael Wacha (0-0, 2.08 ERA, 4 SO, 4.1 IP)
Monday (11:10 AM EST): RHP Dylan Bundy (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 K’s, 5 IP) vs LHP Rich Hill (0-0, 6.23 ERA, 4 K’s, 4.1 IP)
Follow Along
Games will be streamed on MLB.TV all season long, which is free for T-Mobile customers. You can also stream the game in Twins territory on Bally Sports North. Twins fan’s can listen along with Corey Provus and Dan Gladden on the Treasure Island Baseball Network. Red Sox fan’s can catch the games on NESN. They can also listen along on the radio on WEEI 93.7. Out of market fans are able to watch the games on Sunday and Monday on MLB Network.
Injuries
The Minnesota Twins will be without star starting pitcher Kenta Maeda, who is on the 60 day IL recovering from Tommy John surgery. They will also be without pitcher Randy Dobnak who is on the 60 day IL. Reliever Cody Stashak also starts the season on the ten-day IL as he recovers from a right forearm strain. Jorge Alcala has landed on the 10-day IL with an enflamed throwing elbow. Top prospect Alex Kiriloff has been placed on the 10-day IL with a recurring wrist issue which caused him to miss most of 2021.
The Red Sox are without left handed starter James Paxton, who is on the 60-day IL after Tommy John Surgery. Chris Sale also finds himself on the 60-day IL with an injury to his ribs. Reliever Josh Taylor was placed on the 10-day IL with an injury to his back. It is fair to say that the Red Sox will be without 3 of their best arms, not only now, but for the future as well.
Minnesota Twins-Boston Red Sox Prediction
The Red Sox have the better lineup on paper, but have been without Trevor Story for a few games. However, the newly acquired 2nd basemen should be back in Fenway Park. Devers and Boegarts are rivaled by Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa on the Twins side of things. The Red Sox bullpen had been one of the best in baseball up until yesterday. On the other hand, the Twins bullpen has been up and down since trading reliever Taylor Rogers.
It is fair to say that the Twins have the pitching advantage in three of the four matchups, which always pushes the favor that way. This is not something that the Twins will enjoy much of this season, but the Red Sox rotation is depleted with injuries, and Tanner Houck is still getting his feet wet. Minnesota will need to get Miguel Sano rolling, who is currently 0-19 on the young season. The weather in Boston should be great all series. However, I don’t think the Red Sox faithful will be happy come Martathon Monday.
Prediction: Minnesota wins the series three games to one.
