St Louis (2-1) at Minnesota (2-1)
When: Tuesday, July 28th 2020
Where: Target Field,
Minneapolis, MN
Time: 8:10 ET | TV: Extra Innings
Opening Odds: Minnesota -110/10
Everyone around Major League Baseball is on edge a little bit after the Miami Marlins confirmed 14 cases (12 players) of Covid-19, but the league has no plans on shutting down – yet. Baseball has been really fun to watch during Opening Weekend and the strong matchups continue this week with an interleague set between the St. Louis Cardinals and Minnesota Twins. We knew coming into 2020 that the Twins could hit and they have not disappointed thus far, plating 27 runs in taking two of their first three games versus the improving Chicago White Sox. Minnesota put up double-digit runs in each of its two victories during opening weekend, capped by a 14-2 final on Sunday. Jake Cave got things started in a hurry with a first-inning grand slam, while 40-year-old designated hitter Nelson Cruz mashed a pair, went 4-for-5 with four runs scored and knocked in seven. The Cardinals are coming off a series win as well but without all the offensive fireworks. After taking the first two contests versus the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis dropped the finale 5-1. Cardinals DH Matt Carpenter is off to a slow start at 1-for-10 with four strikeouts, but Paul Goldschmidt and Paul DeJong are both hitting over .400.
Pitchers: Cardinals – Carlos Martinez (4-2, 3.17 ERA) | Twins – Homer Bailey (13-9, 4.57)
Carlos Martinez will make his first start since the 2018 season, when he was moved to the bullpen because of shoulder discomfort. He was terrific in 2019 as the Cardinals’ closer and has been wanting to get back into the rotation. He was 42-27 with a 3.24 ERA in 94 games – 92 starts – from 2015 to 2017 and won a spot back in the rotation during summer camp. St. Louis has lost both games against the Twins in which Martinez has started – 7-1 and 3-1.
Homer Bailey has seen this Cardinals lineup plenty over the years during his time with the Cincinnati Reds. In his final year in Cincinnati (2018), Bailey posted a 1-14 record and gaudy 6.09 ERA before moving on to the American League where he split 2019 with Kansas City and Oakland. Bailey posted a 5.55 ERA in five starts against NL opponents in 2019 and was ripped for five runs in just 1.2 innings at St. Louis last May.
I want to take the Twins in this one, but I have never trusted Homer Bailey. Now, he’ll be pitching against a team that knows him well and has had success against him. On the other side, Carlos Martinez has to be shaking in his cleats to be facing this Twins lineup in his first start in almost two years. I’m taking the over.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for today.
Pick: OVER 10.5 -105
BETTING TRENDS:
Cardinals are 6-1 in their last 7 road games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
Cardinals are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. American League Central.
Cardinals are 19-7 in their last 26 during game 1 of a series.
Cardinals are 8-3 in their last 11 games as a road underdog.
Cardinals are 10-4 in their last 14 interleague road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cardinals are 35-16 in their last 51 games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
Cardinals are 4-9 in their last 13 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Cardinals are 2-5 in their last 7 overall.
Cardinals are 2-5 in their last 7 games on grass.
Cardinals are 2-5 in their last 7 road games.
Cardinals are 2-6 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Cardinals are 3-9 in their last 12 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cardinals are 3-10 in their last 13 games with the total set at 6.5 or lower.
Cardinals are 1-4 in their last 5 games following a loss.
Cardinals are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cardinals are 1-4 in their last 5 road games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Cardinals are 1-5 in their last 6 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Cardinals are 1-6 in their last 7 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Cardinals are 1-6 in their last 7 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Cardinals are 1-10 in their last 11 road games with the total set at 6.5 or lower.
Cardinals are 0-4 in their last 4 games as an underdog.
Cardinals are 0-4 in their last 4 Tuesday games.
Cardinals are 0-4 in their last 4 interleague games as an underdog.
Cardinals are 0-4 in their last 4 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
Cardinals are 0-4 in their last 4 interleague road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Cardinals are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
Twins are 7-0 in their last 7 Tuesday games.
Twins are 7-1 in their last 8 games with the total set at 11.0 or higher.
Twins are 6-1 in their last 7 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Twins are 6-1 in their last 7 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Twins are 4-1 in their last 5 home games with the total set at 11.0 or higher.
Twins are 7-2 in their last 9 games as a home favorite.
Twins are 6-2 in their last 8 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Twins are 6-2 in their last 8 interleague home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Twins are 19-7 in their last 26 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Twins are 8-3 in their last 11 games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
Twins are 5-2 in their last 7 games following a win.
Twins are 5-2 in their last 7 games following an off day.
Twins are 36-15 in their last 51 games as a favorite.
Twins are 38-17 in their last 55 during game 1 of a series.
Twins are 19-9 in their last 28 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Twins are 5-11 in their last 16 vs. National League Central.
Twins are 2-5 in their last 7 overall.
Twins are 2-5 in their last 7 interleague games.
Twins are 2-5 in their last 7 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
Twins are 2-5 in their last 7 games on grass.
Twins are 1-4 in their last 5 interleague home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Twins are 1-4 in their last 5 interleague home games.
Twins are 1-5 in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Twins are 0-5 in their last 5 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Twins are 0-4 in their last 4 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Cardinals are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings.
Under is 12-1-1 in the last 14 meetings.
