Red Sox vs Twins predictions
Looking at the way the Boston Red Sox have been swinging the bats lately, I’m expecting a few of their key hitters to step up in this series decider. Wilyer Abreu has been hot with the long ball, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he notches another home run and picks up a couple RBIs. Ceddanne Rafaela is turning into a reliable bat in the order, so that .263 average he’s holding could translate to a multi-hit game at Target Field. And you can’t overlook Trevor Story, whose knack for driving in runs should make him a threat with men on base. Of course, all eyes will be on Brayan Bello on the mound—if he can give the Sox at least five strong innings and rack up close to five strikeouts, that’ll put Boston in a strong spot for the rubber game.
The Minnesota Twins, meanwhile, are leaning on a lineup that’s a bit streaky but packed with potential. Harrison Bader and Willi Castro both figure to be catalysts at the top, with the speed to swipe a bag and knock in a run each if they find their way on base. Keep an eye on Kody Clemens and Matt Wallner too—both have some pop and could easily add to their home run totals in a hitter-friendly ballpark. With Byron Buxton still sidelined, other bats like Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis will need to step up, and I like Lewis’s chances to deliver a couple of clutch hits in this one.
With the series on the line and both teams looking to build momentum in the second half of the MLB season, this matchup feels like it could tilt either way. Still, based on the depth of the Red Sox lineup and Bello’s recent form, I give a slight edge to Boston to pull out the win in this series finale. The Twins can be tough at home, but without Buxton’s bat and with the Red Sox ranking near the top in most offensive categories, I think Boston is just a touch more balanced for tonight’s must-have. What do you think—will the Sox rise to the moment, or does Minnesota have one last home rally in them?
