Double-Header Preview: Minnesota Twins @ Boston Red Sox

The two-game mini-series between the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park has now been crammed into one day. Tuesday's rainout prompted the first double-header of the season for both ballclubs.

The Red Sox and Twins will both keep their rotations in order, as Tim Wakefield will oppose Scott Baker in the make-up game for last night. Brad Penny will oppose Francisco Liriano in the night game.

Both teams are currently on winning streaks; the Red Sox stand at five and the Twins at three. And Wakefield and Baker are both coming off decidedly different outings.

Wakefield missed out on a no-hitter in Oakland last Wednesday, allowing the first hit with five outs remaining. He finished with a complete game four-hitter and the Red Sox won 8-2 to start their current winning streak.

Baker, coming off a stint on the disabled list, was ineffective against Toronto Wednesday, giving up six runs on five hits in four innings in the Twins' 12-2 loss. Baker allowed four home runs in the defeat.

In his only career start at Fenway on July 7, 2008, Baker scattered five hits and two walks in seven shutout innings. The Twins eventually lost the game, 1-0.

The Red Sox are likely to go heavy on left-handers with today's lineup, in order to rest them against southpaw Francisco Liriano in the nightcap.

With Rocco Baldelli (hamstring) landing on the disabled list, Jeff Bailey, whom the Red Sox signed and activated to replace Baldelli, will likely get his first start of the season against Liriano.

Liriano allowed just two runs—one earned—in six innings Thursday against Toronto, but took the loss to fall to 0-3 on the season. While he pitched well, he is still struggling to find consistency coming off Tommy John surgery.

Penny is coming off a disastrous outing in which he allowed eight earned runs on six hits and five walks in just three innings against Baltimore, including a grand slam he served up to Nick Markakis.

But the Red Sox eventually won the game 10-8, and Penny will get a second chance to pitch well at Fenway. In his only career start against the Twins on June 10, 2005, he allowed five runs on nine hits in six innings.

Despite it being only April, there is a lot at stake in the first of these two games. Both teams have starters with something to prove, and want to keep the momentum of their winning streaks going.