Today's Pick: MIN -1.5 runs (-120) over WSH
The Twins face off with the Nationals of DC this afternoon at the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN, it's a 6:10 PM CDT first pitch.
Joe Ryan (10-4) starts for the Twins. Ryan is coming off a heater. He struck out eleven in seven innings against the Rockies in his last start on July 20th. Over his last five, he has posted a 1.45 ERA. Ryan has made a giant leap this year, his ERA is a run better than his ‘24 season and his K/9 is way up. What's he doing differently? He is throwing his sinker more than ever. I’d say he has learned to pitch with two looks to his fastball. He is getting better movement on his breaking stuff too. He is a better pitcher than he was in ‘24. Ryan has emerged as a legitimate ace.
Mitchell Parker (6-10) starts for the Nationals. Parker posted a quality start against the Friars last time out but is carrying a 6.28 ERA over his last five. He doesn't strikeout a lot of hitters and he works in the zone. His game is built around changing speeds and the deception between his splitter and his breaking ball. Four seamer, splitter, curveball against right-handed hitters and four seamer, slider against lefties. He doesn't throw the curveball or the splitter against lefties and becomes a two-pitch pitcher with a goofy foot at the plate. Left handed hitters have crushed Parker this season and he is a lefty! It says a lot about his stuff. He doesn't have a good fastball and he doesn't command his off speed pitches well enough to work inside to left handed hitters. He's a sitting duck if you ask me. A lefty who can't pitch to lefties.
The Twins have a good group of lefties too. Ryan Jeffers has a little slug in his game and Kody Clemens has hit the ball well. Both Willie Castro and Brooks Lee are switch hitters and Matt Wallner can take it out of the yard.
Minnesota's bullpen is in good shape tonight. It's a strong group. Expect to see Varland and Stewart tonight. The Nats bullpen has been shorthanded since moving Brad Lord into the rotation.
I like the Twins tonight. Joe Ryan should get the Twins six innings and Minnesota should put some runs on Mitchell Parker. I'm going to take the run line in this game, at -1.5 the Twins are a (-120) favorite. First run line all season but it's getting late in the game and I need some multipliers.