Red Sox Series Preview: Vs. Minnesota Twins

May 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Minnesota Twins right fielder

(48) hits a three run double against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning of an inter-league game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Twins’ Key Players To Watch:

• Right fielder Torii Hunter is not new to the Red Sox, either. At least, not the lower half of him. It’s been two years since Hunter fell over the right field wall in Fenway Park, displaying what the tops of his cleats looked like, to the delight of a very enthusiastic police officer and the Fenway faithful. However, that was the 2013 post-season Hunter with the Detroit Tigers. This is the 2015 Hunter from the Twins, and he is definitely no joke. Hunter is hitting .287, with seven home runs and 26 RBIs, this season. In his last seven games, Hunter has a home run and five RBIs, batting .300, and looking like an All-Star who is carrying his team on offense. If Red Sox Nation laughed at him, before, they better not laugh at him now.

• Second baseman Brian Dozier either strikes out or makes opposing pitchers pay for mistakes. It’s that simple. In his last seven games, Dozier has nine strikeouts and is hitting a mere .182, while earning three home runs and five RBIs. His slugging is at .636, making every pitch that he actually touches look scorched off of his bat. Easy out or deep threat? Let’s find out!

• Third baseman Trevor Plouffe is leading the team in batting average (.353) in the last seven games. He has a home run, four walks, and four RBIs in that stretch. With a keener eye than Dozier, Plouffe may be the hottest Twin, besides Hunter, on the team, right now, with a .706 slugging percentage.