PREMIUM
**$20 TUESDAY** >> Rogers' TUESDAY TAKEDOWN
(MLB) Detroit vs. Minnesota,
Money Line: -152.00 Minnesota (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -152.00 Minnesota (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Minnesota Twins improved to 3-4 on their nine-game homestand with a 4-2 triumph in Monday's series opener against the Detroit Tigers. The victory puts Minnesota in position to end an 0-3-1 slide in home series not abbreviated by inclement weather by winning here, or in Wednesday's finale (both would be nice). Detroit managed only three hits as it suffered its fourth consecutive loss after beginning its seven-game road trip with a victory in Seattle. The Twins are just 20-23 but in the sad-sack AL Central, sit just one game back of the first-place Indians. The Tigers check in at 20-27, but are only two games back of the Twins and three back of the Indians.
The pitching matchup: Detroit lefty Matthew Boyd (2-3, 3.19 ERA) will square off against Minnesota's Lance Lynn (1-4, 7.47 ERA). Boyd has pitched fairly well this season and comes off defeating the Mariners 4-3 at home on May 12, allowing three runs and three hits in six innings, before settling for a no-decision in Seattle on Thursday after giving up two runs and six hits over six innings (Tigers won that one too, 3-2). Boyd has made 11 career starts versus Minnesota, going 5-2 with a 3.98 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings. Lynn is coming off his shortest outing of the season, a three-inning effort against his former St. Louis club in which he took the loss after yielding three runs on four hits and four walks. Lynn has struggled with his control this year, issuing at least four free passes in five of his eight turns. Lynn has surrendered six runs and 15 hits over 12 1/3 innings while going 1-1 in two career starts versus Detroit.
The pick: Boyd has six quality starts in eight starts already this season, along with a team-leading 1.06 WHIP and 41 strikeouts in 48 innings. Things haven't gone nearly as well for Twins starter Lance Lynn. He signed to a one-year contract late in spring training (note: he turned down a $17.4 million qualifying offer from St. Louis) and has struggled out of the gate with that 7.47 ERA, a 2.04 WHIP and an opponents BAA of .313. However, Lynn spent his last six seasons with the Cardinals and was good enough to go 72-47 with a 3.38 ERA. My bet says, he gets things turned around. Why not start right here? Make the Twins an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Detroit lefty Matthew Boyd (2-3, 3.19 ERA) will square off against Minnesota's Lance Lynn (1-4, 7.47 ERA). Boyd has pitched fairly well this season and comes off defeating the Mariners 4-3 at home on May 12, allowing three runs and three hits in six innings, before settling for a no-decision in Seattle on Thursday after giving up two runs and six hits over six innings (Tigers won that one too, 3-2). Boyd has made 11 career starts versus Minnesota, going 5-2 with a 3.98 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings. Lynn is coming off his shortest outing of the season, a three-inning effort against his former St. Louis club in which he took the loss after yielding three runs on four hits and four walks. Lynn has struggled with his control this year, issuing at least four free passes in five of his eight turns. Lynn has surrendered six runs and 15 hits over 12 1/3 innings while going 1-1 in two career starts versus Detroit.
The pick: Boyd has six quality starts in eight starts already this season, along with a team-leading 1.06 WHIP and 41 strikeouts in 48 innings. Things haven't gone nearly as well for Twins starter Lance Lynn. He signed to a one-year contract late in spring training (note: he turned down a $17.4 million qualifying offer from St. Louis) and has struggled out of the gate with that 7.47 ERA, a 2.04 WHIP and an opponents BAA of .313. However, Lynn spent his last six seasons with the Cardinals and was good enough to go 72-47 with a 3.38 ERA. My bet says, he gets things turned around. Why not start right here? Make the Twins an 8* play.
