The Twins' win streak is up to 12 games, and while the lineup has cut the strikeouts down over the last few games, the team is still averaging more than one K per inning. It also hits more than 100 points of OPS better against lefties than righties. That bodes well for Cooper Criswell to stick around long enough in this game to get to four Ks, a small ask for any starting pitcher. Criswell's K rate in the majors this year hasn't been great, but he has a respectable 8.3 K/9 career rate in Triple-A. In this matchup, I think he should be favored to get to four Ks.

MIN has had some amazing luck during its 12-game run but eventually that runs out. Criswell is yet another previously nondescript BoSox hurler who is channeling Cy Young by throwing a ton of breaking balls and offspeed pitches. Boston has been playing solid ball lately, too, and will be fired up not be swept, with Cora managing not to get swept. Joe Ryan has been solid for the Twins but has yet to make a start outside of the fugazi AL Central, facing the light-hitting Royals, Tigers and Pale Hose thus far. He tends to give up the longball, which could hurt him here.