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After focusing on the NL West yesterday, we will venture into the junior circuit today and look at two of the hottest teams in baseball involved in a fight for the AL Central.
The Twins own the majors best record in the second half of the season at 36-15, while the White Sox had their seven-game win streak snapped last night. Their opponents today have the worst (Royals) and third-worst (Tigers) records in the AL since the break. Minnesota is 4.5 games ahead in the division entering play today. But the White Sox still have a shot at the postseason. The Twins were 6.5 games back on this date in 2009 and rallied to win the division.
Kansas City (57-81) at Minnesota (82-57), 8:10 p.m. EDT
Sportsbook.com Line: Minnesota –155, Kansas City +145 Total: 7.5
The Royals and Twins complete their three-game series at Target Field tonight. The Twins have won five straight and 10 of their past 12 games. Minnesota is also 11-3 against Kansas City this season. The Royals have lost five of their last six games.
Kansas City will throw 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke (8-11, 3.87 ERA). Greinke has pitched well in his last five starts (1-0, 2.72 ERA), but the Royals have lost three of those five starts. The Twins have pounded on him this season as Greinke is 0-3 with a 10.29 ERA (14 IP, 16 ER) in his three starts vs. Minnesota.
The Twins counter with Brian Duensing (7-2, 2.09 ERA). Since becoming a starter, Duensing has been wonderful, going 4-1 with a 2.33 ERA in his eight starts.
Duensing is 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA in his two career starts against the Royals.
Considering the Twins domination of Greinke this season and Duensing’s excellent performance as a starter so far, Minnesota is the play today.
MINNESOTA is 38-14 (+17.6 Units) against the money line as a favorite of -125 to -175 this season. The average score was MINNESOTA 5.2, OPPONENT 3.3 - (Rating = 2*).
Chicago White Sox (77-61) at Detroit (69-70), 7:05 p.m. EDT
Sportsbook.com Line: Chicago –127, Detroit +117 Total: 9
The White Sox and Tigers continue their four-game series tonight in Detroit. The Tigers 9-1 victory last night snapped the White Sox seven-game win streak and put them 4.5 games behind Minnesota. The Tigers have been an absolute mess since the All-Star break posting a 20-32 record over that span.
John Danks (13-9, 3.56 ERA) starts for Chicago. Danks is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA over his last seven starts. The White Sox have lost five of those seven games. Danks pitched excellent in his only start against the Tigers this season (June 10), throwing seven shutout innings and allowing just one hit in a 3-0 victory.
The Tigers will send Jeremy Bonderman (7-9, 5.25 ERA) to the mound. Bonderman has struggled mightily in his last five starts going 1-3 with a 6.91 ERA. He has not fared well in his career against the White Sox either, going 6-11 with a 4.81 ERA in his 18 starts.
The White Sox should take advantage of Bonderman’s recent struggles and jump on him early.
CHI WHITE SOX are 11-1 (+10.3 Units) against the money line vs. an AL starting pitcher whose ERA is 5.20 to 5.70 this season. The average score was CHI WHITE SOX 7.5, OPPONENT 3.0 - (Rating = 2*).
With the pennant races heating up, make sure you bet on baseball at Sportsbook.com to take advantage of the most generous dime lines in the business.
