MLB Predictions: Can the Twins upset the Yankees 9/18/17
Will the New York Yankees create some space between themselves and the Minnesota Twins in the Wild Card race when the two meet up at 7:05PM ET? Here’s our MLB Predictions for this game.
ODDS
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, New York is favored at home tonight, as the Yankees are getting odds of -155 to win. Minnesota is listed with a money line of +140 to prevail, while the over/under total for the game has been set at 9 runs. Minnesota has won two of three meetings with the Yankees this season.
PITCHING MATCHUP
The pitching matchup tonight has Ervin Santana (15-7, 3.35 ERA) on the mound for the Twins to face Jaime Garcia (1-2, 4.50) of the Yankees. Santana is coming off a 6-inning, scoreless effort against the Padres last week. He has 158 strikeouts with 60 walks this season and a 1.13 WHIP. Garcia has allowed just three runs over his last two starts, a total of 9.2 innings. He has 116 strikeouts with 61 walks this season and a 1.41 WHIP.
YANKEES
The Yankees have won four of their last five and seven of their last nine games. New York is now 82-67 overall and 43-28 at home. The Yankees are putting up 5.32 runs per game while allowing 4.15 per contest. Aaron Judge has been leading the team with 43 home runs and 96 RBI. Gary Sanchez has added 31 home runs and 86 RBI.
TWINS
Minnesota is coming off a four-game split at home against the Blue Jays. The Twins are 78-71 overall and 39-32 on the road. Minnesota is scoring five runs per game while allowing 4.94 per contest. The Twins are led by Brian Dozier, who has 31 home runs, 26 doubles and 85 RBI. Miguel Sano is still out with his shin injury. He was the Twins top hitter prior to getting injured, as he has 28 home runs with 77 RBI in 111 games.
MLB PREDICTIONS
Santana has been a difficult pitcher to figure out. He can be outstanding one start and terrible the next. Santana has been better on the road than at home. In 14 starts away from home, he has a 2.74 ERA with a 9-2 record. The Yankees have a question mark in Garcia on the mound. He is just 1-5 in home games this season with a 4.31 ERA. I give the edge to the Twins tonight as I think Santana will be at his best.
MLB PREDICTIONS: MINNESOTA TWINS +140