Red Sox vs Twins Live: Score Updates, Streaming Info & Key Storylines for Today’s AL Showdown

The Boston Red Sox open a three-game road set against the Minnesota Twins tonight at Target Field, and early-season momentum is on the line for both clubs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET, with hard-throwing left-hander Garrett Crochet (2-1, 3.12 ERA) squaring off against right-hander Bailey Ober (1-0, 5.27 ERA). Why it matters • Boston (6-9) has won four of its last five after sweeping St. Louis and suddenly looks poised to climb out of the AL East cellar. • Minnesota (9-7) returns home after taking two of three in Toronto and sits just a game behind first in the AL Central. • The matchup reunites two franchises that share spring-training complexes and plenty of recent regular-season drama. Key storylines to watch 1. Crochet’s strikeout surge: The 25-year-old southpaw has fanned 24 hitters in 17⅓ frames and owns a 1.04 WHIP. If his elevated four-seamer can stay above the Twin hitters’ barrels, Boston’s bullpen may get a lighter workload. 2. Ober’s home-field edge: Ober has a 3.08 career ERA at Target Field, and Minnesota needs length from him with Mick Abel (0-2, 6.08 ERA) slated for Tuesday’s game two. 3. Sluggers heating up: Red-hot Willson Contreras (.302, 3 HR, 11 RBI) anchors a Boston offense that just plated 24 runs in St. Louis, while Josh Bell (.275, 3 HR, 12 RBI) leads a Twins lineup averaging 4.9 runs per contest. Projected lineups (last five games in parentheses) Red Sox: Anthony DH, Durbin 3B, Duran LF, Contreras 1B, Abreu RF, Story SS, Mayer 2B, Narváez C, Rafaela CF — Boston is batting .233 as a team but owns a .349 OBP during night games. Twins: Buxton CF, Martin LF, Keaschall 2B, Jeffers C, Bell DH, Caratini 1B, Wallner RF, Lee SS, Kreidler 3B — Minnesota’s .366 slugging percentage ranks in the AL’s upper half at home. Pitching matchups • Monday: LHP Garrett Crochet vs. RHP Bailey Ober • Tuesday: RHP Sonny Gray (2-0, 2.76 ERA) vs. RHP Mick Abel • Wednesday matinee: Probables TBA Injury notebook Boston is thin on the mound with starters Patrick Sandoval and Kutter Crawford on the 15-day IL, but the bullpen has posted a 2.21 ERA over the last week. Minnesota awaits the return of rookie right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (day-to-day) and hopes to avoid overtaxing a pen already missing Julian Merryweather. What’s at stake tonight A series-opening win would push Minnesota to double-digit victories and keep pressure on Cleveland atop the Central, while Boston can leapfrog Toronto with a fifth win in six outings. With temperatures in the mid-60s and only light winds forecast, conditions favor hitters — setting the stage for another chapter in the Red Sox vs. Twins rivalry that routinely delivers tight finishes and late-inning fireworks.