With the decline of the MLB season, the race for the playoffs is brought into sharp focus, especially in this case where the Minnesota Twins (81-73) Cross over to face the Boston Red Sox (76-78) at Fenway Park. Holding a narrow lead in the overall standings are the Twins, who seek to cement themselves against the Red Soxand and have been on and off late. Not only does this game bring forth excitement, but it also has enough expert premium picks for gamblers.
Minnesota Twins vs. Boston Red Sox Game 1 9/22/24 Game Info and Odds |
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| When: | Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 12:35 PM ET |
| Where: | Fenway Park |
| Watch: | MLBN, BSN, ESPN, MLB.TV |
| Twins odds: | -106 Moneyline |
| Red Sox odds: | -111 Moneyline |
| Total Line: | 8.5 |
Minnesota Twins (81-73) vs. Boston Red Sox (76-78)
The Minnesota Twins come into this game with a notable if slightly unsteady, recent performance. In their last five outings, the Twins managed to secure a 2-3 record. They kicked off with a win against the Red Sox (4-2) but stumbled in the series against the Cleveland Guardians, dropping two close games before clinching a win and suffering another narrow defeat. This pattern suggests a team that fights hard but struggles to maintain consistency across consecutive games.
| Minnesota Twins Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Sep 20, 2024 | BOS | 4-2 | Win |
| Sep 19, 2024 | CLE | 2-3 | Lose |
| Sep 18, 2024 | CLE | 4-5 | Lose |
| Sep 17, 2024 | CLE | 4-1 | Win |
| Sep 16, 2024 | CLE | 3-4 | Lose |
Conversely, the Boston Red Sox have found the going even tougher. Their last five games have seen them muster a solitary win against the Tampa Bay Rays (2-1) amidst losses to the same Rays team, the New York Yankees, and the Twins. This string of results underscores the challenges the Red Sox face, both in terms of pitching effectiveness and at the plate, as they look to turn their fortunes around in the twilight of the season.
| Boston Red Sox Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Sep 20, 2024 | MIN | 2-4 | Lose |
| Sep 19, 2024 | TB | 0-2 | Lose |
| Sep 18, 2024 | TB | 2-1 | Win |
| Sep 17, 2024 | TB | 3-8 | Lose |
| Sep 15, 2024 | NYY | 2-5 | Lose |
Pablo Lopez (15-8, 3.84 ERA) vs. Nick Pivetta (5-11, 4.37 ERA)
Pablo Lopez has been dependable among the pitchers and currently has a low earned run average of 3.84 with 1.15 WHIP across 175.2 IP. He has also struck out batters (187 this season), but at the same time has a relatively low number of walks (37) and home runs given (23), making him crucial for the team’s success in this round. Lopez’s steady hand on the mound could very well control the pace of play against the frail batting order of the Red Sox.
On the other hand, Nick Pivetta of the Red Sox has had his problems, as seen in his win – loss record of 5 – 11 and a higher earned run average of 4.37. Even though he has a relatively good WHIP of 1.13, his weakness may be allowing home runs (28 average in 134 innings), which may be unfavorable especially since the Twins’ lineup is quite hitting powerfully. The Red Sox will need Pivetta to be at his best if they are to rid the Twins of their playoff ambitions.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Minnesota Twins -1.5 (+150), Total Odds: 8.5
When analyzing current stats and past results, it is reasonable to expect a close encounter, though of a high-scoring nature this is reflected in the total line of 8.5. Value can be found in the Twins’ spread since prospects for them are slightly better in terms of pitching. Plus, they triumphed in their last match-up.
Minnesota Twins Betting Trends
Tigers’ betting trends indicate that this is a team that has performed below average against the spread, particularly on the road, with a dismal record of 36-43 ATS. However, the recent winning over the Red Sox can provide some hope to the fans since the team has shown that it can win decisive matches when needed.
Boston Red Sox Betting Trends
Red Sox have been dreadful against the spread over the last five games, which could be better and speaks volumes on the problem of consistency and execution. Their home ATS record is also decent, standing at 41-37 but with what has been happening lately, betting on their side will have to be done with caution.
Minnesota Twins vs. Boston Red Sox 9/22/24 Betting Picks
Taking account of the statistics and their current form, the Twins are set to go for another win, albeit in a tight contest. The pitching battle should also be considered as a factor why Jon Lester’s employers must be slightly favoured, as they possess slightly stronger hitting as well. Nevertheless, the eagerness of the Boston Red Sox to try and turn their season around could inspire a fighting chance with some heart-rending performance, hence making the Over on 8.5 runs a reasonable bet to go for.
Considering prop bets, Lopez K’s is a safe bet, too, as we all know that a lot of the Red Sox hitters tend to strike out when it matters most. If there is any advice on the best free MLB picks today, it would be wise to take the Twins to cover the spread, but look for this to go over because both teams have been scoring runs for fun in their recent matches.