Twins vs Reds Game Preview: Reds Closing Ground on Wild Card Berth

The Minnesota Twins visit the Cincinnati Reds for a key game Monday night. While Minnesota has put itself in solid position to win the American League Central, the Cincinnati Reds are in a dogfight for a wild card berth. The Reds are a half-game behind the slumping Chicago Cubs for a wild card berth. Cincinnati has been plagued by injuries to its starting pitchers and hasn’t officially named its starting pitcher for tonight. The Twins will send Joe Ryan to the mound. The Twins vs Reds game preview shows Minnesota is -145 and the total is 9.5-over (-115) where the game is posted. The MLB point spread, or run line, has Minnesota -1.5 runs at +105.

Ryan has been steady for the Twins this season. He’s 10-9 with a 4.20 ERA. He’s struggled a bit as of late, with a 5.56 ERA over his last seven starts. On the road, Ryan is 4-5 with a 4.67 ERA. Minnesota is 14-12 overall when Ryan starts and 6-7 when he starts on the road. The Twins are 17-9 in totals when Ryan is on the mound.

Connor Phillips is the most likely pitcher to start for the Reds. The minor league strikeout leader, Phillips has had a rough short stint in MLB, allowing 8 runs in 8 2/3 innings. He’s fanned 10 batters but has allowed three home runs. Starting Phillips in the middle of a playoff run isn’t ideal, but the Reds don’t have many options. The Reds have won both of his starts after getting decent relief pitching.

The current MLB standings show Minnesota 79-71 and 36-39 on the road. The Reds are 78-73 and 36-39 at home, playing their best ball on the road this season.

Reds Hold Slight Offensive Edge

The Twins are No. 21 in team batting average, hitting .242 on the season and are No. 11 in runs scored. The Twins have hit 213 home runs, which is fifth in MLB. That helps explain the difference between ranking in batting average and runs scored.

The Twins vs Reds game preview shows the Reds not having the same power as Minnesota, but Cincinnati has a slightly better average. The Reds are No. 17 with a .247 batting average and No. 10 in runs scored. The one thing the Reds do well is steal bases, leading Major League Baseball with 173. The Reds don’t have anybody among the MLB leaders 2023, with Elly De La Cruz’s team-leading 29 steals No. 12 in the league. But the Reds make pitchers pay for allowing them on base and keep the pressure up.

Twins Fair Road Favorites

The Twins are 21-17 as a road favorite this season. But they’ve been a slight losing proposition from a betting standpoint due to the odds. The Reds are 20-26 as a home underdog. But they’re essentially break even from a betting standpoint. There’s no real edge either way.

The Reds will be playing with a little more desperation. But that doesn’t always mean a whole lot. The Twins still haven’t clinched their division, so they’ll be playing to win. There isn’t a ton of betting value on this game wither way. But the Twins vs Reds game preview trends point slightly to the over, given the recent struggles of Ryan.

For MLB betting news, Twins vs Reds odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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