Red Sox vs Twins MLB Betting + Handicapping Picks
Two teams that generally hang around the top of the standings, and have gotten off to awful starts this season.
The pitching match-up: Red Sox – Josh Beckett (1-2,5.03) v Twins – Nick Blackburn (0-1,5.56)
When: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 8:10 PM EST
Where: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV: Local
Line: Red Sox -145
Total: 8.5
The Twins come in at 5-11. While the Red Sox come out one shy in both categories, at 4-10.
After a couple of injury plagued seasons it looked as though things were getting back to normal for Beckett a season ago. Things have not carried over to this season though. It’s early, but if he continues at this rate this will be the third highest ERA he has ever had. Piling on now with the fact that he is giving up almost a hit per inning, and add in a run better than every other. He needs to figure things out quickly if he wants to add on to his fantastic career.
This guy has never been spectacular out there, but the thing you can say is that you will always know what you are getting. He doesn’t strike out a lot of guys, and he doesn’t walk many either. When he is out there, you are going to have to score some runs. The good thing about this guy though is that he is going to get you 6 innings more often than not. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
This is a pretty important stat when today’s game is all about managing the bullpen’s innings. While he doesn’t shut teams down, he is a more than capable guy every fifth day.
Players to watch for:
Red Sox – Kelly Shoppach .375/0/3/.524
Shoppach is not an everyday guy, but he’ll likely get the call in this one with his .500 career average against Blackburn in 16 at bats. He has three home runs included in that.
Twins – Joe Mauer .295/1/9/.386
No one on the Twins roster hits Beckett really well. Mauer does have three hits in eight at bats against the right hander though, and with the way he has come back this season is always an interesting player to keep an eye on.
Matt’s Free Prediction: Boston- The Red Sox are 1-5 away from Fenway, but despite their slow start reminiscent to last season, I think they start a run here with a win against a Twins team that is a poor 2-4 at home heading into the series on Monday.
