twins vs. boston series preview

THREE-GAME SERIES AT TARGET FIELD

Friday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Clay Buchholz (6-0, 1.69 ERA) vs. RHP Vance Worley (1-4, 7.15)

Saturday, 6:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Ryan Dempster (2-4, 3.75) vs. LHP Scott Diamond (3-3, 4.08)

Sunday, 1:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP John Lackey (1-4, 4.05) vs. LHP Pedro Hernandez (2-0, 5.79)

TWINS UPDATE

The Twins have lost four of their past five series yet remain right around .500 at 18-19. The only day they were more than two games above or below .500 was April 13, when they were 4-7. … They are 6-2 in their past eight games vs. Boston, but all were at Fenway Park. They are 1-5 the past two seasons in Target Field and were swept last season. … Their bullpen posted a 2.55 ERA in 17⅔ innings in the four games at Boston last week. … The Twins have scored 172 runs and given up 171 this season, ranking ninth in the American League in offense and 10th in pitching. … Josh Willingham is 4-for-6 against Buchholz, but 1-for-14 against Dempster and 1-for-6 against Lackey.

RED SOX UPDATE

Boston is 4-9 since May 3 and has slipped behind the Yankees in the AL East. … The Red Sox are 11-7 on the road but had lost four of five before Thursday's come-from-behind victory at Tampa Bay. … They are missing OF Ryan Kalish (shoulder), LHP Franklin Morales (back), RHP Andrew Bailey (biceps), RHP Joel Hanrahan (forearm) and C David Ross (concussion). … With Bailey and Hanrahan on the DL, Junichi Tazawa is the closer, although he has yet to earn a save. … Lackey will make his 300th career start on Sunday. … Buchholz won his first six starts, but has no-decisions in his past two since being accused by Blue Jays broadcaster Jack Morris of illegally doctoring the ball.

PHIL MILLER