Today's Pick: MIN (-205) over OAK

There was a lot of early money coming in on the Twins tonight for their game in Sacramento with the team formerly out of Oakland, CA -- the Athletics.  The line moved from -198 to -230.  

There is a good reason for that.  Oakland is starting Grant Holman out of the bullpen.  They are currently without a fifth starter, having lost both Gunnar Hoglund and JT Ginn to the IR.  Holman isn't stretched out by any means and he hasn't pitched all that well in relief, posting a 19.26 ERA over his last five appearances.  It's only 4.2IP, but he's given up 11 hits, 4 walks and 3 homers in those 4.2 innings.  

It's up to Holman and the A's bullpen tonight.  As a group, they have posted MLB's worst team bullpen ERA of 6.16.  

Pablo Lopez starts for the Twins.  Lopez is still the Twins number one by formalities (Joe Ryan and Chris Paddack have pitched better).  While Lopez hasn't pitched great in his last two starts, there are a couple interesting splits to consider.  He has been tough on righties all season, posting a .147/.212/.263 slash line.  He has also pitched significantly better at night.  Opponents have hit just .189 against Lopez under the lights as compared to .273 in day games.  I don't think it's a fluke.  He has a 6.67 K/BB ratio in night games and a 3.4 K/BB ratio in afternoon starts.  

The Twins top three bullpen arms are all rested and ready for the call.  Duran and Jax are two of MLB's best and Cole Sands has pitched well this season.  The pitching heavily favors the Twins. 

All nine starters in the Twins lineup had a hit in last night's game.  Minnesota scored 10 runs on 14 hits and put five more runners on base via base on balls.  Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton are both healthy and in the starting lineup for Minnesota. The Twins are at full strength and playing some of the best baseball in all of MLB.

Oakland hasn't played well entering June and has some injuries to their offense.  Miguel Andujar and rookie Nick Kurtz are both on the IR.  With Lopez on the mound, and the A's already short-handed, rookie extraordinaire Jacob Wilson is getting the night off.  

I like the Twins tonight.  They are a good team, good starting pitching, good bullpen.  They are competing for the AL Central Division crown and are locked in. The A's have lost seven straight and look to be sellers at the trade deadline.  I'm seeing the line at (-205), not a bad price considering the River Cats, I mean the A's, current roster woes.

Today's Pick:  MIN (-205) over OAK
Units in Play:  1.67
Units Wagered:  1.67
Ticket Pays:  2.48 units (+0.81 units)
Current Streak: 1
Longest Streak:  6

Total Units Wagered (Season):  47.28 units
Current Bank Balance:  29 units
Beginning Bank Balance:  40 units
Total Units Raked (season):  11 units
Profit / Loss (season):  Even
Overall Record:  22-10

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