Boston Red Sox vs. Minnesota Twins prediction and odds Mon., 8/29: Brayan Bello shoots for first major league win

Yardbarker Quick Pick

Both these teams are in the top half of the league in runs scored this season, and that's why we're taking the over of nine runs (+125) in this one. It also helps that Boston's Brayan Bello is 0-3 with a 7.36 ERA in six games this season, and has allowed at least four runs in three of his four starts this season. This might be a late cover, but taking the over is the right play. — Jared Shlensky, Yardbarker

MLB odds via OddsChecker: Click here for LIVE updates

7:40 p.m. ET
Boston Red Sox: +1.5 (-176) spread, +114 moneyline, over 9 (-106)
@ Minnesota Twins: -1.5 (+146) spread, -134 moneyline, under 9 (-117)

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The performance earned Bello another start with Boston, however.

"He was excellent," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "That was good stuff."

Bello got the attention of the coaching staff in his prior appearance on Aug. 3 too, coming out of the bullpen in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros and striking out the first two batters he faced.

He then gave up a double and a single before departing with a left groin strain, which sidelined him for three weeks.

He continued to pay attention to his surroundings, though.

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"I learned a lot from the veteran players here," Bello said. "They taught me how to prepare to face a team and how to prepare and have a good routine in between starts, so that's been a huge help for me."

One of his best sources for information has been veteran right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, whose back injury has opened the door for Bello to get some starts.

"I think the progress I've had since my last start right now has to do a lot with (Eovaldi)," Bello said. "He's been a huge help for me and he's always been there to help me and I really appreciate it."

Cora said Bello is learning how to keep big league hitters guessing and that showed with his success against the Blue Jays.

"You can't just stay on one side of the plate; you've got to mix it up," Cora said. "From pitch one (against Toronto), that was electric. Weak contact, swing-and-misses, four-seamers up, changeup. He was really good."

The Red Sox were trying for a three-game sweep of the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday but lost 12-4.

The Twins did complete a three-game sweep on Sunday, knocking off the visiting San Francisco Giants 8-3.

The Twins plan to start veteran right-hander Dylan Bundy in the series opener against Boston.

Bundy (7-6, 4.56) is enjoying his best month of the season, owning a 1-1 mark in four starts in August with a 2.33 ERA.

He took his only loss this month in his last outing, but only gave up two runs and three hits in five innings of a 5-3 loss at the Astros.

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"I didn't have much on the heater," Bundy said of his velocity against Houston. "The curveball felt good, the split felt good, and I just tried to work with those two and randomly sneak a heater in there if I could. I got outs. ... You've just got to work with what you got any given day."

Bundy made his second start of the season against the Red Sox on April 18 and earned the win in an 8-3 victory in Boston. He allowed one run and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Overall, he's 4-9 in 21 career appearances against the Red Sox, including 16 starts, with a 5.36 ERA.

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