This is a 10* BLOWOUT on the Minnesota Twins.

It's Zach Greinke vs. Kenta Maeda in Game 1 and I like the home side to find a way to get the job done here.

Greinke ended the season 3-3 and he dropped his final three decisions. In his final start vs. the Mariners on Wednesday he gave up three runs off eight hits over 4.2 innings.

Over his final seven starts he posted a 5.47 ERA.

Maeda finished 6-1 and he earned a win in his final start of the year, allowing three runs and striking out nine vs. the Tigers on Wednesday. Maeda finished with a 2.70 ERA and he has struck out at least seven in each of his final seven starts of the year.

Houston's chances to compete took a major hit when it lost the services of co-ace Justin Verlander to injury earlier in the season.

Houston's sluggers have also struggled with consistency this year. Minnesota finished No. 1 in the AL Central and that's significant, because the Twins enjoy home field advantage for this series, before the playoffs switch to a bubble format.

I LOVE the TWINS here and I feel they should in fact be a much larger favorite in this spot. Lay it!

Good luck, NP