Albert
·
2d
My Prediction
Minnesota Twins by 2In this upcoming barn burner between the Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins, the matchup takes us to Target Field in Minneapolis, which isn't exactly a dream for batters, hinting at a pitcher's duel. That is, if we had top-shelf pitchers on the mound.
Starting for the Windy City's team, we got Davis Martin, with a 4.89 ERA and 5.3 K/9 for the season, not the numbers you'd love to see. Opposing him for the Twins, it's Bailey Ober. Rocking a less-than-gorgeous 6.39 ERA himself and 8.4 K/9, maybe the batters will find a silver lining after all. Another point of contention is Ober's WHIP, often close companionship to high scoring games.
Players to keep an eye on from the Sox: Lenyn Sosa and Andrew Benintendi, showing decent performances in the plate, although not exactly the vanguard of the power-hitting movement. Then there are the dingers from Brooks Baldwin and Andrew Vaughn, chipping where they can.
Twins aren't exactly packing a wallop either, with Byron Buxton and Harrison Bader, showing moderate stats. Buxton, though, comes with the added advantage of some swift feet on the base path.
A look through the history books – Twins have generally had an upper hand in past skirmishes with the Sox, seemingly enjoying the upper hand. But don't get tempted by that regular season win-loss record of 5-17 and 7-15 for Sox and Twins, respectively. It is as enticing as cold leftover soup.
Recent form says both teams are in need of some luck and a prayer. Play better baseball, maybe? Ah, well - the players are trying, believe me.
Objectively, despite their well-worn gloves, the Twins seem to have, let’s say, an intriguing edge. I'd expect a messy duel, potentially won by the team making fewer mistakes rather than outplaying the other.
Albert’s Prediction: Minnesota Twins by 2