Red Sox vs. Twins Monday MLB Betting Preview

[Qbins Missile Crisis]

MLB: Hernandez reeling in the cash

Livan Hernandez has been a hidden gem for Minnesota Twins backers through the first month of the season.



The Twins have lost just one of the seven games the crafty veteran has started and Twins fans will be looking for another win on Monday against the Boston Red Sox.

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A 12-year vet who posted an 11-11 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks last season, Hernandez signed with the Twins in the offseason in a move that went unnoticed by many, but Twins’ bettors have cashed in.

With Johan Santana traded to the New York Mets, Hernandez stepped in as the opening day starter for his new team and earned a 3-2 decision over the L.A. Angels by going seven innings, allowing seven hits and just two runs.

For the season, the 33 year-old has compiled a 5-1 record and 3.83 ERA. In his last two starts, Hernandez has worked 16 innings and given up just two earned runs, while his best performance was back on April 11th when he pitched seven scoreless innings against Kansas City.

Hernandez hasn’t pitched against the Red Sox since being shelled for eight hits and six runs in 1 1/3 innings as a member of the Washington Nationals in 2006.

Using a mix of curveballs, sliders, a changeup and a fastball in the 80s, Hernandez uses pitch control and change of speeds to keep batters on edge. The one drawback is that when he’s off his game, opposing batters can hammer him around the park.

Boston’s offense will attempt to get the best of the veteran starter. The Red Sox are fifth in the league with an average of 5.06 runs per game while their team batting average is second in the Majors at .288. After a slow start, Boston’s batters, led by a surging David Ortiz, are once again hitting the longball and have 34 homers on the season.

Rookie hurler Clay Buchholz is scheduled to step onto the mound for the Red Sox. With a 3-1 record and a no-hitter in four starts last year, Boston has high expectations for the 23 year-old righty. In seven starts this season, Buchholz has a 2-2 record and 4.50 ERA to go with his 39 strikeouts.

One stat that Boston bettors don’t like is that the Red Sox have lost all three games in which Buchholz failed to earn a decision. The youngster has struggled in several outings and has failed to reach six innings in four of seven starts.

In his last outing, Buchholz gave up 10 hits and five earned runs in four innings of work against the Detroit Tigers. Boston backers are obviously hoping for a stronger outing on Monday.