August 25 08:10 MLB Minnesota St. Louis Overseas Baseball Analysis Sports Analysis
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The Minnesota Twins, whose struggles on both offense and defense have resulted in significant losses, will have Pablo Lopez (11 wins, 8 losses, 4.47 ERA) aiming for his 12th victory of the season. Lopez showcased an impressive performance with 6 scoreless innings during a road game against Texas on the 19th, proving himself to be a strong pitcher in day games. However, he still has weaknesses in night games, and considering it's a home game, a quality start would be the expected outcome. After failing to score against Palante in the previous game and only managing a single run, Minnesota's offense has struggled to carry over its away success to home turf. The issue becomes clear when home runs are lacking. The bullpen allowed 3 earned runs over 5.1 innings, showing a significant disparity between the winning pitchers and others.
The St. Louis Cardinals, who have achieved a three-game winning streak through a balanced offense and defense, are sending Sonny Gray (11 wins, 8 losses, 3.91 ERA) to challenge for his 12th victory of the season. Gray suffered a defeat after pitching 5 innings with 7 hits and 2 earned runs in a home game against the Dodgers on the 19th, and he has shown inconsistency throughout August. Notably, his performance tends to crumble on the road, which could be a major vulnerability in this matchup. After overpowering Minnesota's pitching staff in the previous game with 6 runs, including a solo home run from Brendan Donovan, St. Louis's offense is maintaining a strong hitting momentum. The complete revival of the middle order adds strength to the team. The bullpen, having not pitched for 2 innings, allows the winning relievers some welcome rest.
Recently, the firepower of St. Louis has been intimidating. If their strong performance against Festa can be replicated against Lopez, they could have high hopes. Considering Gray's performance on the road, one might think it's unrealistic to expect excellent showings from both starting pitchers, but as shown in the previous game, the stability of the bullpen currently favors St. Louis, which may determine the outcome. With a stronger lineup, the St. Louis Cardinals appear to be closer to victory.
Predicted score: 6:4, St. Louis wins
Handicap: St. Louis wins
Over/Under: Over