Red Sox Return Home Looking For Offensive Breakout Vs. Surging Twins

The Boston Red Sox are hoping a return to Fenway Park can help turn around what’s been a lost season to this point.

The Red Sox have struggled mightily all season, and that reached a new level on their most recent road trip. The Sox went just 1-6 during stops in both Minnesota and Texas, and they limped home to a rain-soaked Boston sitting in last place in the American League East. The Sox’s first chance to turn things around comes Tuesday night after Monday’s series opener with the Minnesota Twins was rained out.

One player who did have a good road trip was second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Despite going 0-for-5 in the trip finale Sunday, Pedroia still went 10-for-30 on the road trip with two home runs and four RBIs. The oh-fer in Texas snapped a 10-game hitting streak by Pedroia, who’s been much better since moving to the leadoff spot. He’s now hitting .324 (12-for-37) since being moved to the top of the batting order.

Clay Buchholz will make the start for the Red Sox, and it’s an important one given not only the team’s spot in the standings, but also because of the day-night doubleheader scheduled for Wednesday. Buchholz was a tough-luck loser his last time out. His first-inning issues continued (9.90 ERA in the first inning this season) as Buchholz allowed two runs, but he settled in nicely and didn’t allow another run over 7 1/3 innings of work.

Mike Pelfrey will start for Minnesota.

Here are the lineups for both clubs.

RED SOX (22-29)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Mookie Betts, CF
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Sandy Leon, C
Rusney Castillo, RF

RHP Clay Buchholz (2-6, 4.33 ERA)

TWINS (30-19)
Brian Dozier, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Joe Mauer, 1B
Trevor Plouffe, 3B
Kurt Suzuki, C
Eddie Rosario, LF
Eduardo Escobar, DH
Aaron Hicks, CF
Danny Santana, SS

RHP Mike Pelfrey (4-1, 2.77 ERA)

Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images