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**$20 TUESDAY** Rogers' ROUND TRIPPER >> 26-14-1 Overall L10 Days!
(MLB) Toronto vs. Minnesota,
Money Line: -137.00 Minnesota (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -137.00 Minnesota (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Toronto Blue Jays have rebounded from losing six of seven to win back-to-back games Sunday (7-2 at home over the Rangers) and then 7-5 on Monday over the Minnesota Twins. Justin Smoak and Russell Martin homered last night, as the Blue Jays increased their season total to 40, second-most in the majors. Kevin Pillar carries a five-game hitting streak (7-for-18) into Tuesday's contest while Teoscar Hernandez has hit safely in six in a row (7-for-24) for Toronto, which is 7-1 against ALCentral opponents in the early going. Nothing seems to be going right these days for the Minnesota Twins. Monday's loss was the Twins' 10th in their last 11 games, leaving Minnesota 2-11 since center fielder Byron Buxton went on the disabled list and 9-15 overall to start what was expected to be a special season in the Twin Cities.
The pitching matchup: Marco Estrada (2-2, 6.00 ERA) takes the mound for Toronto, while Kyle Gibson (1-1, 3.33 ERA toes the rubber for Minnesota. Estrada has given up five runs in each of his last two starts, suffering a 5-4 loss against Boston on Thursday after managing an 8-5 road victory versus the New York Yankees on April 20. He has 23 strikeouts and nine walks over 27 innings but has served up seven HRs, four in his last two outings. Estrada is 3-2 with a 3.96 ERA in 10 career appearances (eight starts) against the Twins. Gibson allowed one hit and struck out 10 over six scoreless innings last time out but settled for a no-decision at New York (Twins lost 4-3). He is winless in his last four starts, permitting 10 ERs across 21 innings (4.29 ERA) since working six hitless innings in his season debut to defeat Baltimore, 6-2 at Camden Yards back on March 31. Gibson is 3-1 with a 4.95 ERA in six career starts versus the Blue Jays.
The pick: Most are surprised by Minnesota's poor start but those Minnesota bats could wake up here vs. Estrada. Home runs have plagued the veteran this season, as he's allowed seven through five starts after giving up 31 in 33 starts a year ago. Toronto ranked 27th (of 30 MLB teams) in the moneyline standings last season (minus-$1775), while Minnesoat checked in fifth-best, at plus-$1148. Make the Twins an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Marco Estrada (2-2, 6.00 ERA) takes the mound for Toronto, while Kyle Gibson (1-1, 3.33 ERA toes the rubber for Minnesota. Estrada has given up five runs in each of his last two starts, suffering a 5-4 loss against Boston on Thursday after managing an 8-5 road victory versus the New York Yankees on April 20. He has 23 strikeouts and nine walks over 27 innings but has served up seven HRs, four in his last two outings. Estrada is 3-2 with a 3.96 ERA in 10 career appearances (eight starts) against the Twins. Gibson allowed one hit and struck out 10 over six scoreless innings last time out but settled for a no-decision at New York (Twins lost 4-3). He is winless in his last four starts, permitting 10 ERs across 21 innings (4.29 ERA) since working six hitless innings in his season debut to defeat Baltimore, 6-2 at Camden Yards back on March 31. Gibson is 3-1 with a 4.95 ERA in six career starts versus the Blue Jays.
The pick: Most are surprised by Minnesota's poor start but those Minnesota bats could wake up here vs. Estrada. Home runs have plagued the veteran this season, as he's allowed seven through five starts after giving up 31 in 33 starts a year ago. Toronto ranked 27th (of 30 MLB teams) in the moneyline standings last season (minus-$1775), while Minnesoat checked in fifth-best, at plus-$1148. Make the Twins an 8* play.
