Twins vs Blue Jays Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 17 (9/17): MLB

Credit: photo by Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

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Preview

Tonight we have the Twins traveling to Toronto to take on the Blue Jays.  The Twins enter this one firmly out of the playoffs as they were sellers at the deadline.  This Twins lineup still boasts some capable at bats in it so look for them to continue to compete night in and night out.  The Blue Jays enter this game rolling, going 8-2 in their last 10.  They currently sit 0.5 games ahead of the Yankees for an AL wildcard spot and have been on a mission of late.  They'll look to build a lead in the wildcard against some medicore pitching that the Twins throw out at them tonight.

Pitching matchup

Twins

Michael Pineda (6-8, 3.87 ERA) will be on the mound for the Twins when they take on the Blue Jays. Pineda enters this game with a 1.22 WHIP and 4.44 XFIP.  This season he boasts a 20.4% strikeout rate along with a low 4.6% walk rate. He gives up hard contact to both sides of the plate and has struggled with power against left handed hitters.  Pineda helps himself by keeping his pitches in the zone but his lack of strikeout stuff has me worried for him coming into this one.  This Blue Jays lineup is on a mission right now and Pineda will have his work cut out for himself tonight. 

Blue Jays

Hyun Jin Ryu (13-8, 4.11 ERA) will take the mound when they take on the visiting Twins. Ryu enters this game with a 1.19 WHP and 4.09 XFIP.  This season he carries a 20.8% strikeout rate along with a low 4.9% walk rate. Ryu has been average this year. His strikeout rate has dipped compared to last years but his walk rate has been low all year which has helped.  He is able to limit the hard contact and doesn't give up a ton of power. Ryu throws an upper 80's to low 90's fastball 40% of the time and this pitch has been his downfall.  This Twins lineup boasts some quality bats throughout the order, Ryu will look to bounce back tonight after a rough outting last time out against the Orioles.

Prediction

Both these pitchers have been vulnerable through out the season, they both lack strikeout upside but both also limit runners with their ability to command the strikezone.  I think I will roll with the bats in this one as Ryu will be facing a Twins lineup with some very good hitters in it, while Pineda will have a hard time taming this Blue Jays lineup.

PICK: Over 9 (-120)

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