Red Sox catching lowly Twins at the perfect time

The Red Sox were due for a cooling period after ripping off 18 wins in the month of May. June has not been nearly as successful so far as the Sox have lost five of the seven games they’ve played in.

The Sox are still easily the best hitting team in baseball but there have been signs of an offensive dip. Toronto’s Marco Estrada had a no-hitter going at Fenway into the eighth inning this past Sunday and the Sox managed to score just one run in a 2-1 loss to the Giants on Wednesday night. It was Boston’s lowest scoring output since a 4-1 loss to the White Sox on May 3.

Fortunately for the Sox, they face the team with the worst team ERA in the American League this weekend in the Minnesota Twins. The Twins own a horrific record of 18-40 so far this season – worst in the AL – and much of the blame can be placed on their pitching staff. How bad is it? Ricky Nolasco is the Twins’ top starter this year and he has a 2-4 record with a 5.17 ERA.

The Red Sox are scheduled to face Kyle Gibson (0-3, 6.10 ERA), Tyler Duffey (2-4, 4.79 ERA) and Pat Dean (1-2, 4.75 ERA) in the three-game set. Steven Wright (6-4, 2.29 ERA), Eduardo Rodriguez (1-1, 5.40 ERA) and Rick Porcello (7-2, 4.04 ERA) are lined up for the Sox.

David Ortiz, who has crushed the Twins over the years, will face his former team for the final time this weekend.

“Just going to go over there and have fun,” Ortiz said. “We’ll try to win some games, get back into the mojo, see some of my boys. I hear some of my boys are going to be there. That will be fun.”