Free MLB Picks Today: New York Yankees vs Minnesota Twins 9/7/22 (Game 2)

The Minnesota Twins (68-65) are on the road to face the New York Yankees (81-54) at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday in a doubleheader. The Yankees lead the series 1-0 after winning 5-2 on Monday, their third head-to-head victory in four games this season. Greg Weissert got the win with 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, and Clay Holmes picked up his 19th save with a scoreless ninth. Aaron Judge went 2 for 3 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored two runs and drove in two. Isiah Kiner-Falefa added a solo home run. Gary Sanchez was 1 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs for the Twins.

ON THE MOUND

Joe Ryan (10-7, 3.65 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Minnesota in the second game of the doubleheader. The righty allowed five runs over five innings in his last start, a 6-5 road defeat against the Red Sox on August 31. He was charged with the loss, scattering eight hits while striking out eight and walking one.For New York, RHP Gerrit Cole (10-7, 3.31 ERA) gets the start. He has made one prior start against the Twins this season, giving up seven runs over 2.1 innings in a 10-7 road win on June 9. He gave up eight hits and walked two, while striking out three in the no-decision. In his last start on August 31, Cole took the loss on the road against the Angels. He threw seven innings and gave up three runs (2 ER) on six hits, striking out four and walking one in the 3-2 defeat. The righty leads the league in strikeouts (204).

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Minnesota has averaged only 3.0 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.4, while slashing worse across the board (.218/.283/.327). Against right-handed pitchers like Cole this season, the Twins have a .733 OPS. Luis Arraez is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .843 OPS in 361 at-bats. New York is averaging only 2.0 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.9 for the season, with their slash line slipping across the board (.157/.232/.294). The Yanks have a .732 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a 1.105 OPS over 364 at-bats, Judge has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Minnesota is 28-36 in road games in 2022, scoring 4.6 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. New York has won four in a row at Yankee Stadium. The Yanks are 46-20 at home this season, averaging 5.0 runs per game while surrendering 3.3. New York is 9-1 in the last 10 games between the teams at Yankee Stadium with an average scoreline of 6.6-3.2.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Twins are second in the AL Central, one games behind the division-leading Guardians. They are fifth in the Wild Card race, six games out of third. The Yankees lead the AL East by five games over the Rays.