Game Time:  2:10 PM ET, Sunday, June 26th,  2022 

Venue: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Where to Watch: MLB.tv

DraftKings: Moneyline: Rockies +150, Twins -200; O/U 8

FanDuel: Moneyline:  

PointsBet: Moneyline: 

Opening Lines: 

Rockies: 31-40, 5th place NL West

Twins: 39-33, 2nd place AL Central

Ouch!  The Rockies took Game 1 of the series, defying my prediction.  I may have understated the lack of healthy arms on the Twins and the lack of quality opponents in the AL Central.  The truth is we do not know how good the Twins are since they play so much trash… and we do not know how bad the Rockies are since they play so many quality opponents in the NL West.  These teams could be equal if we look at the power numbers on the matchups. That is why I occasionally need the help of a Professional Sports Handicapper.  Still the numbers say the Twins have the advantage.  So let’s look at the numbers and make a bet.

An inter-conference matchup.   The 5th place NL West Colorado Rockies will invade Target Field in Minneapolis to take on the 2nd place AL Central Minnesota Twins.  Someone at Baseball figured you would love to watch paint dry.  This is a nothing game because the one thing we know about the Colorado Rockies is that they DO NOT and Will Not matter toward anything involving the postseason.  This isn’t a preview of anything later on unless you live in Minnesota.  What it is however, is a great betting opportunity.  The best games to bet on usually involve bad teams playing.  When betting baseball the most accurate numbers that indicate possible performance are the numbers compiled by bad teams.  We may determine that the better team will win, and then the reliable payout will be less on the moneyline… However, if  the numbers tell us the bad team has a more than decent chance at a win?… The Payout can be fantastic!  Let’s check the numbers and place our bets.

The Colorado Rockies are the worst team in the best division in baseball.  They have won only 4 of their last 10 games.  The sledding has been rough.  They are on a 3 game losing streak. They went 0-3 against the Miami Marlins, 3-0 against the San Diego Padres, 0-3 against the Cleveland Indians, and 1-0 against the San Diego Padres.  This amazing run is mind-bending.  The Colorado Rockies lose against bad teams over and over and over…. However they beat the San Diego Padres in a SWEEP +1… They have the Padres’ (one of the best teams in baseball) number.  Does that mean the Padres are phony or that the Rockies are a capable team that is missing something?  The Rockies definitely have CJ Cron who can crank one out (17 homers) and Yonathan Daza who is consistent at the plate (.320 BA).... They also eagerly anticipate the time when Kris Bryant can contribute to wins.  What are they missing?... Maybe everything else.

The Minnesota Twins have teased you over the last several years about maybe being a good team.  Yet, they have only won 4 of their last 10 games.  They went 1-2 against the Cleveland Indians, 1-2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, 2-1 against the Seattle Mariners, and 0-1 against the Tampa Bay (DEVIL) Rays.   The Twins have not been at their best.  Home Run leader Byron Buxton (19) and Batting average leader Luis Arraez (.349) don't supply enough offense on their own. This is a good team with lots and lots and lots and lots of players on the Injury List.  8 pitchers at last count… 4 of them starters.  There are a lot of those guys who are listed as “out for season” and “out indefinitely”... meaning this is all a crapshoot!  The Twins have too many arms not at work to be a threat to anyone.

AAA Sports is 70-53  over the last 120 days of MLB picks… for a profit of +$7,640! You should be following the handicappers on BigAL.com! Get Sean Murphy’s picks!!!…They are available right now at the Shop Picks Page,where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.  And stay with BigAl.com for all your favorite sports… MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, NCAAF, NCAAB.  Remember winning a wager is more fun than making the wager!

The Rockies are 12th in scoring with 4.59 runs per game, 1st in batting average with .262, 4th in OBP with .325.

The Twins are 14th in runs per game with 4.45, 9th in batting average with .251, 7th in OBP with .323.

The Rockies pitching is 27th in ERA with 4.96, 28th in WHIP with 1.45, and 30th (last) in errors with 57 on the season so far.

The Twins pitching is 13th in ERA with 3.88, 12th in WHIP with 1.24, and 14th in errors with 37 on the season so far.

Our prediction for Sunday June 26th is… Twins 7 - Rockies 3

The numbers still say take the Twins!  Yes, we lost in Game 1 with our prediction… but the magic of numbers is they highlight likelihood instead of certainty no matter what sport or matchup we review.  The Arizona Diamondbacks are capable of beating the New York Yankees in a game… but it’s an anomaly.  

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(will update)

Colorado: LF Kris Bryant (back) Out ** 

Minnesota: CF B. Buxton (knee) Quest ** 3B M. Sano (knee) Out ** SS R. Lewis (knee) Out ** SS J. Polanco (back) Out ** 

Rockies: RHP  Ryan Feltner, 1-2, 5.46 ERA, 31 strikeouts in 29 innings pitched.  1.21 WHIP.  The 25 year old kid is struggling so far… but has all the talent needed for success in MLB.  He only has 36 innings pitched in MLB… so cut him a break, but don’t bet on him.

Twins: RHP Joe Ryan, 5-3, 3.00 ERA, 52 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched.  1.06 WHIP.  This 26 year old is alive on the mound.  He has lightning and control.  He also has a winning record after just 80 innings pitched in the pros!  

Rockies: RF Connor Joe, CF Yonathan Daza, DH CJ Cron, 2B Brendan Rodgers, 3B Ryan McMahon, SS Jose Iglesias, C Elias Diaz, 1B Elet\huris Montero, LF Sean Bouchard

Twins: 2B Luis Arraez, SS Carlos Correa, RF Max Kepler, C Gary Sanchez, DH Alex Kiriloff, 3B Gio Ushela, LF Trevor Larnach, 1B Jose Miranda, CF Nick Gordon

Rockies: Bud Black

Twins: Rocco Baldelli

 

Partly Cloudy, 79* Wind 15 mph, Precipitation chance 60%... bad weather and rain.  That means a little to the bounce of a ball.  Bet the Under.