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(MLB) Chi White Sox vs. Minnesota,
Money Line: -144.00 Minnesota (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -144.00 Minnesota (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Minnesota Twins lost more games (103) than any team in MLB in 2016 but spent most of the first half of the 2017 season battling for first place in the AL Central. However, when Minnesota lost 4-1 on August 4 to the Texas Rangers, the Twins owned a 51-55 on the season and found themselves looking up in the American League standings at Texas and nine other teams! No one was surprised that Minnesota traded left-handed starter Jaime Garcia and All-Star closer Brandon Kintzler, as the playoffs appeared to be a long shot. As the saying goes, "That was then and this is now!" Minnesota is on a current 18-8 run and owns the second wild-card spot in the American League. In fact, the Twins are just one game behind the NY Yankees for the first wild card after beating Chicago 11-1 on Wednesday and head into Thursday afternoon's game with a chance to sweep the Chicago White Sox, who by the way, own the AL's worst record at 52-79
The pitching matchup: Miguel Gonzalez (7-10 & 4.30 ERA) goes for the White Sox and Bartolo Colon (6-10 & 6.35 ERA) for the Twins. Gonzalez has suddenly pitched much better since coming off the disabled list with AC joint inflammation in his right shoulder. He owns a 2.93 ERA in his eight starts since, including going 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA over his last four starts (team is 3-1). Gonzalez is 2-2 with a 4.25 ERA in five career starts vs. the Twins. Colon was a 'nightmare' for Atlanta (2-8 with an 8.18 ERA) but has been much better with Minnesota (4-2 with a 4.04 ERA). In fact, he's won four of his last five starts, posting a 3.21 ERA in his last five starts. He is 11-8 with a 3.81 ERA in 23 career starts against the White Sox (teams are 12-11).
The pick: "My speed is not there anymore, so it makes sense that I don't strike out as many hitters as I used to. I'd much rather get an easy out than throw three strikes," Colon told the Minneapolis Star Tribune after his zero-strikeout game. "If they come, they come. But if they don't, that's fine too." The truth is, Colon is now pitching the way the Braves expected him to pitch when they signed him in the off-season. The Twins took a chance on him after atlanta released him (for good reason) and the twins have to be pleasantly surprised. The White Sox are a dreadful 22-45 away from home, so make the Twins an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Miguel Gonzalez (7-10 & 4.30 ERA) goes for the White Sox and Bartolo Colon (6-10 & 6.35 ERA) for the Twins. Gonzalez has suddenly pitched much better since coming off the disabled list with AC joint inflammation in his right shoulder. He owns a 2.93 ERA in his eight starts since, including going 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA over his last four starts (team is 3-1). Gonzalez is 2-2 with a 4.25 ERA in five career starts vs. the Twins. Colon was a 'nightmare' for Atlanta (2-8 with an 8.18 ERA) but has been much better with Minnesota (4-2 with a 4.04 ERA). In fact, he's won four of his last five starts, posting a 3.21 ERA in his last five starts. He is 11-8 with a 3.81 ERA in 23 career starts against the White Sox (teams are 12-11).
The pick: "My speed is not there anymore, so it makes sense that I don't strike out as many hitters as I used to. I'd much rather get an easy out than throw three strikes," Colon told the Minneapolis Star Tribune after his zero-strikeout game. "If they come, they come. But if they don't, that's fine too." The truth is, Colon is now pitching the way the Braves expected him to pitch when they signed him in the off-season. The Twins took a chance on him after atlanta released him (for good reason) and the twins have to be pleasantly surprised. The White Sox are a dreadful 22-45 away from home, so make the Twins an 8* play.
