MLB Sunday

Taking the Minnesota Twins -1.5 (-105). This chance to make the playoffs is in the Minnesota Twins hands now after the Chicago Whitesox helped them get to this point today by beating the Detroit Tigers yesterday. Now the Tigers and Twins are tied on top of the Central Dvision and if both win today they go to a single game tiebreaker. But if one team loses, the other heads to the American League Playoffs. Detroit starts an hour earlier than the Twins so Minnesota will get to see how things are playing out but the real edge today is in favor of the Twins simply because of their opponent and who is pitching. While Detroit has to face a strong lefthander in John Danks, the Twins get the good fortune of facing Luke Hocehvar.

Not that they should be cocky about this, nor will they be,but Minnesota facing this guy on the road is a good thing. Hochevar has a 7.53 ERA and only a 3-7 record away from Kansas City. At home he is decent, on the road is another story. In 4 of his last 5 starts on the road, his pitching line is disturbing. He has allowed 26 runs and 37 hits in only 20 innings pitched. He just doesn't get hit, he gets bombed on the road, and Minnesota will be showing up today for sure.

This isn't about Minnesota's pitcher Carl Pavano pitching on 3 days rest, as the leash will be short if he gets into trouble, it's about Minnesota making the most of their opportunity and gettting to this kid Hocehvar and then to a KC bullpen which is not as good as Minnesota's. The Twins are 7-3 in their last 10 as they fought hard to get to this position for a shot at the post-season. KC is 2-8 in their last 10. I like the Twins here in a blow-out.