The month of August is drawing to a close and that means that division races are heating up and every baseball lines matchup takes on new significance.
For teams like the Minnesota Twins and the Texas Rangers that are legitimate post season contenders every game is do or die. When these two teams meet on the diamond on Tuesday August 24th you can be sure that it will be a battle to the death.
The Twins (72-52) are currently sitting atop the AL Central 5.0 games clear of the second place Chicago White Sox. The Sox have been their own worst enemy of late going 3-7 in their last 10 games as their bullpen imploded. Still, a 5.0 game lead in the middle of August is hardly secure and the Twins can’t afford to lose this road series.
The Rangers (69-54) are also leading their division, AL East, and have a comfortable 8.0 game lead over the LA Angels and the Oakland A’s. Still this team can’t afford to get complacent either as the Angels are a veteran team that has ruled this division for almost a decade and could easily get hot and make a run in the baseball lines competition.
On the mound the Twins have big advantage in the baseball odds as they’ll send one of their top pitchers, Carl Pavano to toe the rubber. Pavano has had something of resurgence for Minnesota this season with a 15-8 record and impressive 3.53 ERA, he’s become one of the anchor so of the rotation.
Texas will have Colby Lewis pitching (9-10), who after a hot start has lost a bit of his edge and lost his last five decisions. Over his past 10 starts he’s just 2-6, although to be fair, in 6 of those starts he’s gotten 2 or less runs in support.
Still, for some reason the Rangers don’t hit well when Lewis is on the mound that’s likely to continue at home in Arlington on Tuesday night. The Rangers are one of the best home teams in the AL (39-23) but are in a bit of slump right now after losing 6 of their past 10 games.
In contrast, the Twinkies are red-hot having won 8 of their last 10 games and they’ll likely get the win on Tuesday versus the Rangers.