The Boston Red Sox lead over the Oakland Athletics for the second AL Wild Card spot is now just 1-1/2 games, after falling to the bottom-dwelling Minnesota Twins yesterday in extras, 9-6. The Red Sox will look to get back on track tonight and a series win when the two clubs wrap up their 3-game set at Fenway. Boston will send the best southpaw in the majors to the hill, Chris Sale. Since returning from Tommy John surgery, Sale is doing what Sale does best and that is deliver. In his two starts since his return, Sale is 2-0 with a nasty ERA of 1.80 and a 1.20 WHIP. Minnesota is expected to have John Gant toeing the rubber. Gant (4-7, 3.77 ERA, 1.52 WHIP) was acquired in a trade from St. Louis and has not been producing, going 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA since joining the Twins. Boston has won 4 of the last 6 meetings this year against Minnesota, they are 40-26 at home, and have Chris Sale on the hill.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BOSTON RED SOX