On Tuesday, the St. Louis Cardinals (2-1, 0-0 away) travel north to take on the Minnesota Twins (2-1, 0-0 home). The contest will be the first road game for the Cardinals and the Twins home opener. St. Louis will play just two games in Minnesota, with the two teams scheduled to meet again later in the season in St. Louis. Both sides will be coming off a scheduled off-day on Monday. The first pitch is set for 8:10 pm EST at Target Field. The Twins open as a slight (-120) favorite in the contest.
What to Know – St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals kicked off the 2020 season-opening up with a pair of victories over NL Central rival Pittsburgh, before dropping the final game on Sunday. St. Louis went 41-40 last season in contests away from Busch Stadium.
Two-time All-Star Carlos Martinez is scheduled to toe the rubber for the visitors after serving the 2019 season out of the Cardinals bullpen, including time at closer. The right-hander last started a game on July 30th, 2018. Martinez collected a 3.17 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 24 saves over 48.1 innings pitched last year.
Paul DeJong and Paul Goldschmidt have started off the season on the right foot with eight total bases apiece over the first three games. DeJong has tallied eight RBI already, while Goldschmidt leads the Cardinals in runs scored (4) and hits (5).
What to Know – Minnesota Twins
Like the Cardinals, the Twins took two of their first three contests to open the season over the weekend. Minnesota flashed a potent offense, scoring 10 and 14 runs in their two wins on the road against the Chicago White Sox. The reigning AL Central champions were 46-35 at home last season.
The host counter with right-hander Homer Bailey (13-9, 4.57 ERA, 1.32 WHIP last season). Bailey will be toeing the rubber for the first time this season. Bailey fared much better at home last season, tallying a 7-3 record with a 3.51 ERA in 16 home starts.
Minnesota enters the first full week of action tied with the White Sox for most team home runs (7). Leading the onslaught is veteran Nelson Cruz who leads the majors in home runs with three. Cruz also leads the majors early in the season with 10 RBI. Slugger Max Kepler has just two hits on the season, but both have left the ballpark.
The Pick is In
This should be a great matchup between two teams that are skilled in all three aspects of the game; offense, defense, and pitching. The Twins have shown early that they have an offensive lineup that will be at the top of the league in all statistical categories at the end of the season. However, Martinez will showcase his All-Star talent and keep the Twin’s offense in check. If you can get the Cardinals around even or ‘+’ money, jump on. We also like the Over (10.5).
