September 13, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox reliever Richard Fitz (80) pitches during the third inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images In the thick of the American League wild-card race, the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins meet for the first time since May, beginning a three-game weekend series in Boston on Friday.
The Twins (80-73) have suffered consecutive setbacks in four games in Cleveland, including a 10-inning 3-2 loss on Thursday. Lost 20 out of 30 games.
As a result, Minnesota is tied with Detroit for the final AFC playoff spot with nine games remaining.
“It can be difficult. It can be excruciating at times,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “You can make a pretty reasonable argument that we're capable of winning all four games here. (Win just one) won't be satisfying and there's no way around it.”
Although their playoff hopes are already bleak at 10-20, the Twins can only look forward. Players like shortstop Carlos Correa and center fielder Byron Buxton, both with OPSs above .850, are returning from injuries, which certainly gives us reason for optimism.
A strong performance could give Minnesota more playoff chances after winning the AFC Central title last season, but it will need a good finish to get past the Tigers, who have a 21-9 record over the same period.
“If you look at it from an outside perspective, with their performance and our performance, the odds might not be in our favor,” outfielder Matt Woerner said. “So, something has to change.”
Wollner went 0-for-3 Thursday with a strikeout after going 5-for-7 in his first two games.
Continuing his rookie season, Minnesota righty David Festa (2-6, 5.07 ERA) is expected to make his 12th career start on Friday against Boston.
Festa is still looking for its first win since Aug. 5, despite snapping a four-game losing streak with a winless start against Cincinnati on Sunday. He allowed two runs on three hits while striking out four in the first 3 2/3 innings of the Twins' 9-2 win.
The Red Sox (76-77) were on the wrong end of the playoff cutoff line, entering their penultimate home series with a record below .500 and four games out of the third wild-card spot.
Thursday's 2-0 loss at Tampa Bay contributed to that fact, and a win for the Red Sox would give them a chance to at least tie Minnesota in the standings with a tie sweep this weekend.
In a crucial game with a chance to win, the Boston batter allowed just one hit and struck out 11 to be shut out for the seventh time this season.
“The same thing has been happening for a month and a half. We're not executing,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “At one point, we were the best offensive team in baseball against right-handers, and now we're not performing.”
Like their opponents, the Red Sox will field their own prospect, Richard Fitts (0-0, 0.00), who allowed just two runs in his first 10 2/3 major league innings.
Fitz, who took over for Tanner Hoke on short notice, threw five shutout, two-hit pitches last Friday against the Yankees in New York.
“I know pretty quickly when I start, but I welcome the challenge,” Fitz said. “I’m extremely blessed and extremely grateful for the opportunity to put on a Red Sox uniform now and hopefully for a long time to come.”
–Scene-level media