One Is the Luckiest Number: Sox-Twins Gamer IV

Admit it. You're a little relieved. The Red Sox are now just 7-5 in one-run games. They're outperforming their Pythagorean record by just one game. So, despite three one-run losses in their last five contests, the Sox still sit in first place -- in the division, in the league and in the game -- with a 24-16 record. Better for the correction to happen this way than it did last year, when it came during the heat of a Yankee winning streak.

Clay Buchholz looks to put the Sox back on the winning track tonight. He got blasted around last time out but has been pretty solid otherwise. He faces Livan Hernandez, who is having a fine season himself. Hernandez is facing the Sox for the first time since 2006 and just the third time overall. In each of his other two starts (1999 and 2006), Hernandez allowed eight hits and six runs. Sounds good to us.

The first game of the PTE (Post Tavarez Era) begins shortly. Comment away!

Red Sox
1. Coco Crisp, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. J.D. Drew, RF
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Sean Casey, 1B
9. Alex Cora, SS
Clay Buchholz -- P

Twins
1. Carlos Gomez, CF
2. Brendan Harris, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Craig Monroe, DH
7. Delmon Young, LF
8. Mike Lamb, 3B
9. Adam Everett, SS
Livan Hernandez -- P