The Twins had their two best pitchers in Sonny Gray and Joey Ryan start the first two games of this series. They still lost both games with the Braves scoring a combined 10 runs. Meanwhile, the Twins could only muster up three total runs. Now the Twins will turn to Kenta Maeda, who has a 1.48 WHIP over 21 innings. Look for the Braves to slug their way to another win at home.

Standalone game. No Carlos Correa, Max Kepler or Edouard Julien for the Twins, who have lost each of the first two of this series by multiple runs -- that's how bad the AL Central is as a whole. Kenta Maeda has an ERA near 7.00 this year. I don't trust Braves fill-in starter Kolby Allard at all (hence the high total), but Atlanta's lineup is light years superior today. The southpaw Allard made two rehab starts for Triple-A Gwinnett this year off injury and combined for 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball with eight strikeouts. He shouldn't be out there too long, so I'm almost forgetting he's even starting. Just need him not to allow 4 in the first.

Atlanta is red hot and have won 12 of their last 13 games. The Braves lead the league in virtually every offensive category and now they will face Twins starter Kenta Maeda who has given up 16 earned runs in 21 innings pitched this season. Atlanta hits right handed pitchers better than any team in the majors and I expected this line to be closer to -180. Look for Atlanta to complete the 3 game sweep at home.