Red Sox at Twins
The Boston Red Sox finished last in the American League in home runs in 2017 but are finding their power again in 2018 and rank second in the majors in homers behind the rival New York Yankees. The Red Sox will try to keep the power flowing when they visit the Minnesota Twins for the opener of a three-game series on Tuesday.
Boston pounded out three home runs in a 9-3 victory at Seattle on Sunday to earn a split of a four-game series and keep pace with the Yankees atop the AL East. Joining in the power barrage on Sunday was third baseman Rafael Devers, who belted a three-run homer among two hits and is providing some punch from the bottom half of the lineup while pulling out of a deep funk with hits in 11 of the last 12 games. The Twins just finished up a series win over a first-place team by taking two of three at Cleveland over the weekend and will play the next six games at home, where they own a 17-17 record. Minnesota will try to get around one of the best arms in baseball when lefty Chris Sale gets the call for the Red Sox on Tuesday opposite Twins right-hander Jose Berrios.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (6-4, 2.75 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jose Berrios (7-5, 3.51)
Sale was strong in his last two outings, allowing a total of two runs and eight hits over 14 innings while striking out 19 against the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore. The Florida native issued just 43 walks in 214 1/3 innings last season but is already up to 26 in 2018 after handing out four free passes at Baltimore on Wednesday. Sale won both of his starts against Minnesota last season, surrendering a total of five runs and eight hits in 12 1/3 innings while striking out 19.
Berrios is dominating opponents of late while yielding two or fewer runs in five of his last six outings. The Puerto Rico native followed up a complete-game win over the White Sox on June 7 by allowing one run across six frames at Detroit on Wednesday and owns 91 strikeouts against 15 walks on the season. Berrios lost his lone start against Boston in 2017, surrendering four runs on eight hits over 6 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Twins INF Eduardo Escobar doubled three times on Sunday and leads the majors with 30.
2. Boston RHP Brandon Workman allowed a run on Sunday, snapping a string of six scoreless appearances since being recalled from the minors at the beginning of June.
3. Minnesota OF Robbie Grossman left Sunday's game due to heat illness and is day-to-day.