Boston @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( May 18, 2013 ) Boston 12, Minnesota 5

The Boston Red Sox seem to have gotten themselves straightened out. The Red Sox will be looking to secure their fifth straight win and close out a three-game sweep when they visit the Minnesota Twins in the series finale on Sunday. Boston dropped three of four to the Twins at Fenway Park from May 6-9 during a stretch of nine losses in 11 games. The Red Sox have recovered with four consecutive wins while Minnesota has gone downhill.

The Twins have dropped six of eight since leaving Fenway Park, including four straight. An inability to retire David Ortiz has hampered the Minnesota staff in the current series. Ortiz is 6-for-8 in the first two games and homered twice while driving in six runs in Saturday’s 12-5 triumph. Dustin Pedroia reached base four times in five at-bats and scored three runs in the contest. He has hit safely in 10 straight games while batting .475.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), Fox Sports North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH John Lackey (1-4, 4.05 ERA) vs. Twins LH Pedro Hernandez (2-0, 5.79)

Lackey suffered through his worst start of the season at Tampa Bay on Tuesday, when he was reached for five runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings. The veteran right-hander was better against the Twins on May 9 but hurt himself with an error that led to four unearned runs. Lackey struck out eight and was charged with five runs (one earned) in seven innings to suffer the loss in that turn.

Hernandez was lit up for six runs and seven hits in two innings by the Red Sox on May 8 but got bailed out by his offense and ended up without a decision. Jonny Gomes hit a grand slam and Shane Victorino homered off the left-hander. Hernandez recovered to earn a win his last time out, allowing three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings to beat the Chicago White Sox. In two career starts against Boston, Hernandez has yielded a total of 14 runs and 19 hits in six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Twins activated RHP Cole De Vries (forearm strain) from the 15-day DL and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday.

2. Boston SS Stephen Drew (back) was hurt on an awkward slide Friday and sat out Saturday. He is day-to-day.

3. Minnesota C Joe Mauer (back) returned to the lineup on Saturday after a one-game absence and extended his hitting streak to 15 games.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Twins 2