They aren’t usually as easy as last night.
Jose Berrios scared us a little bit in that first inning but he settled down after the third out and ended up pitching into the seventh inning; Chris Sale was dominant on a night when he didn’t have his tip-top stuff; and we cashed our under with ease in a 4-1 Boston win.
It was reassuring that the Twins’ bullpen didn’t have to get three outs in the bottom of the ninth because Paul Molitor doesn’t have many options out there. He ruined Berrios’ line a little bit when he sent him back out for the seventh. I would want to prolong Matt Belisle from entering the game for as long as I could, too.
That Minnesota bullpen is my biggest concern tonight when we go back to the well to play the under.
Free Pick
Drew Pomeranz has never inspired confidence in me but I don’t want to neglect what he’s done lately, either. Pom has held the opponent to two runs or fewer in 11 of his 14 starts this season. He only went three innings in one of those starts and four in another but, as a rule, if Pomeranz goes five innings, he is very good. He’s gone at least five in all but one of his last six starts and his ERA has been on a steady decline since mid-May. Remember, he’s only just been in Boston for a year his one-year and he’s starting to look more comfortable.
Pomeranz must be most careful with Miguel Sano, who is a one man wrecking crew. He tags lefties and Sale tied him up last night (o-for-4 with 3 Ks). I’d be surprised if he didn’t get Pomeranz at least once.
Miguel Sano
Of course, I’m not nearly as worried about one man as I am about everyone the Twins will put on the mound after Hector Santiago. Santiago is just off of the Disabled List after missing three weeks with a sore shoulder. He doesn’t usually go very deep into games and definitely won’t on this night but he should be fresh and could be effective against a team like Boston that doesn’t hit many home runs. But watch out for Mitch Moreland – he’s homered in three straight games.
These are relief pitchers I’m talking about though. They’re all supposed to be effective pitching one inning at a time and neither lineup scares me. I have Minnesota’s team total at 4.5 with juice on the under and I’d make Boston’s an even 5.0. Plug your nose, close your eyes and hold your breath. It’ll be over before you know it.
Free Pick: Under 10.5 (-120)
Boston Red Sox • Drew Pomeranz • Hector Santiago • Minnesota Twins