Boston @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( May 9, 2013 ) Minnesota 5, Boston 3

The Minnesota Twins went into Boston last week and took three of four from the struggling Red Sox. Now that it has some positive momentum going, Boston will try to return the favor when it opens a three-game set at Minnesota on Friday. The Red Sox came from behind in the ninth inning to take the rubber game at Tampa Bay on Thursday, giving them their first series win since April 30-May 2. The Twins have dropped two straight.

Minnesota lost the opener in extra innings at Fenway Park on May 6 but dominated the rest of the series, winning the final three games by a combined 26-12. Joe Mauer went 8-for-18 with five doubles and seven runs scored in that series and has stayed hot with hits in 14 straight games to raise his average to .349. Red Sox star Dustin Pedroia matched Mauer with an 8-for-17 effort in the four-game series and has hit safely in eight straight. The Twins have dropped four of six since leaving Boston and have fallen to 9-10 at home.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, New England Sports Network (Boston), Fox Sports North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Clay Buchholz (6-0, 1.69 ERA), vs. Twins RH Vance Worley (1-4, 7.15)

Buchholz has not won since being accused of throwing a spitter by Toronto Blue Jays broadcasters on May 1. The right-hander allowed two runs in eight innings on Saturday but came out with a no-decision. Buchholz suffered through his worst start of the season against the Twins on May 6, surrendering four runs and seven hits while striking out nine in six innings. Justin Morneau drove in two runs in that game and is 8-for-16 in his career against Buchholz.

Worley earned his first win the last time out despite allowing five runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings against Baltimore. The right-hander has only two quality starts in eight turns and surrendered three runs and nine hits across five innings at Boston on May 6. Worley yielded a home run among three hits to Shane Victorino in that contest.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox RHP Joel Hanrahan had surgery Thursday to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament and a torn flexor tendon in his right arm. He also had bone spurs removed.

2. Morneau has hit in 11 straight games.

3. Victorino hurt his lower back making a catch against the wall on Thursday and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 7, Twins 1