Two months of dismal play have sent the Yankees out of first place in the AL East. However, New York remains in contention for a playoff spot in the wide open American League. A series sweep of the Twins would help out the Bombers, but it won’t be easy. Minnesota ace Joe Ryan is slated to take the mound tonight. Which side has the edge in this matchup?Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Wednesday’s showdown between the Twins and Yankees.
The Yankees are favorites (-156) over the Twins, with the over/under set at 8.5 runs. Let’s break down which side has the edge on DraftKings Sportsbook entering tonight’s contest.
Twins vs. Yankees prediction, preview
New York, 64-56, still possesses the third and final American League wildcard spot. In addition, the Yankees still possess baseball’s third-highest scoring offense. The rub is that the Pinstripes have looked rough on the mound. Between inconsistent starting pitching and a bullpen that loves to blow games, no lead is safe with this club. Rookie Cam Schlittler will get the nod tonight. Through five starts, the right-hander has posted a 4.38 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 24 strikeouts.
Schlittler’s tripe-digit fastball has skyrocketed him towards the big leagues. Unfortunately, a lack of command has made things difficult thus far (4.4 BB/9). The good news is that even an inexperienced youngster can carve up tonight’s opponent. The Twins underwent a fire sale at the trade deadline, selling off several of their best players. Other than Byron Buxton, there aren’t any bats to be feared on this current Minnesota lineup. In addition, the team’s hitters have generated the sixth-fewest walks per game in baseball (2.92).
Even if Schlittler is at his best, a win isn’t guaranteed for the Yankees. That’s due to the presence of Ryan, one of baseball’s best starters. Through 132.1 innings of work, the All-Star has recorded a 2.79 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 146 strikeouts. The righty has a knack for limiting homers (1.0 HR/9) and walks (1.7 BB/9). That’s not ideal for a New York offense that’s highly dependent on the long ball. Ryan has surrendered two runs or less in six of his last seven outings.
Twins vs. Yankees pick, best bet
Best Bet: Twins vs. Yankees under 8.5 total runs (-110)
Clearly, the Yankees wield the far deeper roster in tonight’s contest. However, Ryan’s skills as a pitcher should play well in this spot. On the other side, Minnesota can’t be trusted against any hurler, even one as inexperienced as Schlittler. A low-scoring battle could be on tap in the Bronx.
