The Yankees are 2-3 against the Twins this season. They just lost, 6-1, to the Twins and former teammate Sonny Gray on Monday. The Yankees have averaged only 3.1 runs in their last dozen games while hitting just .199 during this time frame.

So why get involved with the Yankees today?

It's tough to turn down a plus price on New York when Nestor Cortes is on the hill. The Yankees are 8-1 this season when Cortes and Gerrit Cole have started. They are 5-9 in their other games.

The Yankees also have dominated the Twins despite Monday's loss going 116-43 (73 percent) versus the Twins the past 21 years.

Minnesota is starting Joe Ryan, who is 4-0 with a 3.24 ERA. Nothing against Ryan. But I prefer Cortes, who has surrendered two earned runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts. Cortes hasn't given up more than three earned runs during his past 16 starts.