The Blue Jays were able to notch just their 2nd road win of the year on Monday when they traveled to Target Field and scored a 5-3 win over the Twins as +110 underdogs. It was a solid win for Toronto as Minnesota had won 4 of their first 5 of the year at home. Regardless of dropping game one, the Twins are pretty significant -147 favorites in the April 16th AL free pick.Can Toronto conquer again, this time at +125?
Toronto Has Momentum Behind Sanchez
The Blue Jays have now won 2 of their last 3, but against 1st place teams in Tampa Bay and Minnesota. Toronto has a great chance of keeping that run going as they send Aaron Sanchez to the hill in the April 16th AL free pick. Sanchez hasn’t pitched out of the 6th in any of his three starts, but he’s been great nonetheless with just 3ER allowed over 16 IP (1.69 ERA). Sanchez made one start vs. Minnesota last season, allowing 4ER in 6 IP in a 7-5 Jays’ win.
Tuesday’s O/U is 9 and Sanchez hasn’t allowed more than 2 ER in any of his three starts this season. How will the Toronto offense contribute to that total play? In last night’s 5-3 win the Blue Jays belted out 11 hits led by a 3-4 night from Teoscar Hernandez. Freddy Galvis is the Blue Jays hottest hitter as of late, hitting 2 HR with a .357 average over the past 6 games. Overall however Toronto has hit just .167 in 24 AB vs. tonight’s Minnesota starter.
Can Minnesota Rekindle Their Home Field Fire?
The Twins had a winnable game going on Monday as they took a 3-1 lead into the 8th but the Jays scored 4 in that frame to ultimately take the W. Minnesota will likely need a better performance from their bullpen tonight the way starter Kyle Gibson has pitched. The right-hander has a 7.71 ERA through the first two starts of 2019, failing to pitch out of the 5th in either game. Gibson made 1 start vs. Toronto last season, allowing 2ER in 5.0 IP.
Jorge Polanco continued to stay hot on the season as he had a 3 hit night on Monday. The Twins will try to generate some offense and regain their momentum that was built up after scoring 20 runs in two games vs. the Mets and with a sweep of Detroit over the weekend. Eddie Rosario is 2-4 in his career vs. Sanchez but overall Minnesota has just 21 total ABs vs. the Blue Jays starter. Rosario also has 2 HR in his last 5 games so he should be a major source of the Twins offense in this one.
April 16th AL Free Pick Betting
Gibson has definitely struggled for Minnesota through 2 starts, but he’s gotten better in each game and he’ll be making his first home appearance of the year on Tuesday. Sanchez has been great so far for Toronto, and there’s no reason to think he doesn’t continue that in Game 2 of the series. Improved pitching trumps hitting in this one, leading to a lower scoring affair.
AL Free Pick: Blue Jays / Twins *Under* 9
