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Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
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Expert Picks
The Twins have been stripped down by trades and injury and lose the designated hitter in Cincinnati. Minnesota has just five wins since the All-Star break, while the Reds suddenly have wild-card life with the Padres possibly losing Fernando Tatis Jr. for the season. Cincinnati has won five of six and that one loss was in extra innings. Tyler Mahle has an ugly 6.07 home ERA but has generally been better there of late. The Twins' Kenta Maeda has a 5.50 road ERA -- 11 of the 13 home runs and 21 of the 31 extra-base hits he's allowed this season have come on the road. Minnesota has won just four of its past 16 away.
Kenta Maeda's ERA is 5.50 on the road, and August has always been a tough month for the former Dodger. Meanwhile Tyler Mahle has struggled at home but has pitched well against the Twins. The Reds are 14-7 when he's on the bump, while the Twins are 5-12 with Maeda on the hill. Cincinnati is 11-3 when playing after a day off this season. This line opened at -140, which I thought was high. I like the Reds at this number for three units.
The Twins have lost four of their last five games and now give the ball to RHP Kenta Maeda, who has been outstanding in his last five starts - even though the team has lost the last three. Minnesota looks lifeless at times and now is 18 games below .500. The Reds (56-50) are fighting hard to make the playoffs and are only four games behind in the race for the final NL wild-card spot. Cincinnati has won 14 of RHP Tyler Mahle’s 21 starts, including the last two. Take the Reds to win.