Wednesday, June 18, 12:35 PM on FSN, NESN

Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts

Minnesota Twins - Gibson, K (6-5) vs. Boston Red Sox - Lackey, J (8-4)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Wednesday afternoon, the Minnesota Twins and Kyle Gibson will square off against the Boston Red Sox and John Lackey. Gibson will be making his 14th start as Lackey makes his 15th start.

Kyle Gibson notched his 2nd straight win in his last outing and that took his record to 6 – 5 with a 3.55 ERA.  In that start, Gibson threw 7 scoreless innings and allowed 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3.  It was the 2nd straight start that Gibson hurled 7 scoreless innings in and it could be a turning point for the young right-hander after a lackluster start to the year.  In his rookie campaign in 2013, Gibson was 2 - 4 with a 6.53 ERA in 10 starts.

Last season, Gibson didn’t pitch against the Red Sox and he has never faced the Boston lineup.  If he shows the Red Sox some of what he has shown his last 2 opponents, he might come away with another win.

John Lackey improved his record to 8 - 4 with a 3.24 ERA after picking up his 2nd straight win his last time out. In that start, Lackey gave up 3 runs on 7 hits (including a homer) in 6.2 innings. He walked a batter while striking out 5. Lackey is on pace to post better numbers this season than he did in 2013 when he went 10 – 13 with a 3.52 ERA in 29 starts.

Last season, Lackey was 1 – 1 with a 0.69 ERA in 2 starts against the Twins. He has handled the lineup well in the past but he could have an issue with Joe Mauer.  Mauer is batting .367 against Lackey with 2 homers and 4 RBIs.       

Minnesota Twins Betting Trends

Minnesota Twins are 37-28-3 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Minnesota Twins is -0.3

Boston Red Sox Betting Trends

Boston Red Sox are 26-41-3 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Boston Red Sox is -0.2

Injuries to Watch

Minnesota Twins

06/15/14 3B Trevor Plouffe Oblique 15-day DL (6/15)
06/13/14 CF Aaron Hicks Shoulder 15-day DL(6/10)
05/03/14 P Mike Pelfrey Groin 15-day DL (5/1)

Boston Red Sox

06/02/14 1B Mike Carp Foot 15-day DL (6/1)
05/31/14 1B Ryan Lavarnway Wrist 60-day DL (5/30)
05/29/14 P Clay Buchholz Knee 15-day DL (5/27)
05/24/14 RF Shane Victorino Hamstring 15-day DL (5/24)
05/21/14 P Felix Doubront Shoulder 15-day DL (5/20)
05/17/14 3B Will Middlebrooks Finger 15-day DL (5/16)

Josh's Pick: Take Boston

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