Milwaukee has to feel incredibly fortunate coming into the April 3rd Twins at Brewers matchup with a 1-0 record. Minnesota had a 5-2 lead going into the bottom of the 9th on Opening Day, but couldn’t hold on as Milwaukee scored 3 in the 9th, and the game winner in the bottom of the 10th to get the 6-5 victory.
The Twins definitely played well enough to win the opener, but nonetheless oddsmakers have stuck with Milwaukee as -130 home favorites. That puts some decent value on Minnesota at +110, especially with former all-star Jose Berrios making his first start of the year.
Twins Bats Did Their Job
Minnesota was playing without DH Nelson Cruz because the NL rules have reverted back to ‘normal’ for the 2020 season and they still put up 5 runs in the season opener. The Twins also lost 3B Josh Donaldson in the top of the 1st to a strained hamstring, so the fact that they held a 5-2 lead in the 9th is something to build on.
There were a lot of moving parts that had solid days at the plate in the opener. Luis Arraez got on base three times from the leadoff spot (2 hits, 1 BB), Max Kepler had a 3-hit day, and Byron Buxton showed patience drawing two weeks as well as batting in two runs. Can Rocco Baldelli find a way to get Cruz some ABs?
Jose Berrios would love some similar run support as Thursday when he makes his first start of the season. The right-hander also needs a bounce back season overall, going 5-4 with a 4+ ERA for the first time since his rookie season. One of Berrios’ better starts of 2020 came at home against the Brewers in mid-August, when he allowed just 1 hit over 6.0 IP in a 7-1 Twins win.
Brewers Build on Emotional Win
Milwaukee sure knew the proper way to welcome fans back to the stands on Opening Day. The game was a failure for the Brewers for about 8-1/3 innings, but there’s still a question about whether the Brewers won – or Minnesota absolutely tanked.
Minnesota’s new closer probably literally couldn’t have a worse start to his Twins career. The former White Sox pitcher hit a guy, followed that up with an error, and ultimately allowed a 2-run double to Travis Shaw to tie the game. Milwaukee did their part in the 10th, driving in Lorenzo Cain who began the inning at 2nd base.
Yelich was 2-4 with an RBI as he tries to post a bounce back season. Shaw had 3 RBI and four different Milwaukee players had multi-hit games. The home team is -130 favorites in the April 3rd Twins at Brewers game because of the potential of starter Corbin Burnes. The right-hander was in contention for the NL Cy Young last year after going 4-1 with a 2.11 ERA.
Free April 3rd Twins at Brewers Pick
Minnesota will definitely have some bullpen questions if they are able to get another late lead on Saturday. They might not have to worry about a lead if Burnes returns to last year’s form but the Milwaukee starter also had an 8.82 ERA in 2019. Both pitchers have the capability to dominate, and the Brewers bullpen didn’t allow a hit the last three innings in game one.
Brewers 4 – Twins 3
Free Pick: Under 7.5
