Minnesota Twins vs Atlanta Braves Picks and Predictions August 27th 2024

At 7:40 PM ET, the Braves and Twins face off in an interleague matchup. This one is being played at Target Field in Minneapolis, and the Twins are favored on the money line (-108). The money line odds for an Atlanta win are sitting at -110, and the over/under line is currently at 8 runs.

Spencer Schwellenbach is starting for the Braves, and he is facing off against Simeon Woods Richardson. The Braves are 2nd in the NL East, while the Twins are 3rd in the AL Central. BSN is carrying this game on TV.

Spencer Schwellenbach gets the start for the Braves today as he faces the Twins on the road. He has made 14 starts this season and has a record of 5-6 with a 3.94 ERA. Looking at his overall numbers, Schwellenbach has a WHIP of 1.03 and has turned in eight quality starts. In his last outing, he pitched 6 2/3 innings, giving up two earned runs on three hits. Schwellenbach picked up the win in that outing. Before that, he had taken the loss in two straight starts. One concern for Schwellenbach is that he has allowed at least one home run in three straight outings.

Marcell Ozuna has been the Braves’ top hitter this season, batting .307 with 37 home runs and 96 RBIs. Matt Olson is also a power threat in the lineup, as he has 23 homers but is batting just .230 for the season. However, Olson has gone 6/20 in his last five games, with two homers and eight RBIs.

As a team, the Braves are averaging 4.3 runs per game and have been a better offensive team on the road this season. Currently, they are 4th in home runs and have the 6th best isolated power figure in the league. Overall, they are batting .242, which is 13th in the MLB.

Through 22 starts, Simeon Woods Richardson has a record of 5-3 and an ERA of 3.69 for the Twins. He has made seven quality starts this year and is coming off a game in which he allowed just one earned run in five innings of work. In that outing, he gave up four hits, two walks, and one homer. Looking back further, Woods Richardson has allowed at least one homer in three straight starts. His ERA on the road is 4.54 compared to 3.63 at home. The right-hander has a record of 4-2 on the road.

As a team, the Twins are averaging 4.9 runs per game, which is 7th in the league. They have been even better at home, putting up 5 runs per contest, which is 4th in the MLB. Overall, they are the 6th best hitting team in the league, with a team batting average of .253. Minnesota also comes into the game with the 6th best on-base percentage and slugging percentage in the league.

Currently, Ryan Jeffers leads the Twins with 20 home runs, and his 59 RBIs are also the top mark on the team. Jeffers has gone deep three times in his last eight games, hitting .370 over that stretch. Matt Wallner has also been swinging a hot bat of late, going 7/25 with three homers in his last nine games.

Whit Merrifield Shines in Leadoff Role for Braves

Whit Merrifield made a bold statement on Monday, leading off for the Atlanta Braves and delivering a stellar performance. Going 5-for-5 with a double and scoring two runs, Merrifield played a pivotal role in the Braves’ 10-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins. This was his first time in the leadoff spot since joining the Braves in late July, and he’s clearly eager to keep the momentum going as Atlanta faces Minnesota in the second game of their three-game series on Tuesday.

Whit Merrifield’s Standout Performance

For Merrifield, hitting leadoff is second nature. “I like leading off,” he shared after Monday’s game. “It’s something I’ve done most of my career—most of my life, really. So I like it. Nothing like digging in a fresh batter’s box.” His performance on Monday clearly demonstrated his comfort in that role, significantly contributing to the Braves’ offensive firepower.

Merrifield’s ability to thrive in different spots in the lineup gives the Braves much-needed flexibility, especially with center fielder Michael Harris II recovering from a hand injury. Harris, who was hit by a pitch on Sunday against the Washington Nationals, sat out the start of Monday’s game but made a brief appearance as a sixth-inning substitute. Fortunately for the Braves, Harris reported that his hand is bruised, not broken, which is a huge relief as they push through the final stretch of the season.

Braves’ Recent Surge

The Braves have been on a roll, and Monday’s win over the Twins was yet another testament to their depth and resilience. Even without Harris in the starting lineup, the Braves managed to build an early 9-1 lead before a rain delay disrupted play. Despite the delay, Atlanta maintained their edge, holding off a late rally by the Twins to secure the victory.

Atlanta’s offense has been firing on all cylinders, and Merrifield’s resurgence at the top of the order only adds to their potent lineup. With key players stepping up and the bullpen delivering when needed, the Braves are positioning themselves well as they approach the postseason.

Twins’ Struggles Continue

On the flip side, the Minnesota Twins are desperately looking to snap a two-game losing streak and turn things around after a disappointing homestand. Monday’s loss was particularly frustrating for Minnesota, as they found themselves in a deep hole early, trailing 9-1 by the second inning. Despite the rain delay and a spirited effort to close the gap in the later innings, the Twins couldn’t complete the comeback.

Manager Rocco Baldelli acknowledged the team’s efforts but stressed that the focus remains on winning games, not just making them close.

Pitching Matchup: Schwellenbach vs. Woods Richardson

Tuesday’s game features an intriguing pitching matchup as the Braves send rookie right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach to the mound. Schwellenbach, with a 5-6 record and a 3.94 ERA, is coming off a strong performance against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he allowed just two runs on three hits over 6 2/3 innings, striking out nine. The 24-year-old will be making his first career start against the Twins and will look to build on his recent success.

Opposing Schwellenbach is Twins right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson, who has been solid this season with a 5-3 record and a 3.69 ERA. Woods Richardson is aiming for his third consecutive win after a strong outing against the San Diego Padres, where he limited them to one run on four hits over five innings. This will also be his first career start against the Braves, adding an element of uncertainty to the matchup.

Braves Poised to Capitalize

With Merrifield hot at the plate and Schwellenbach finding his groove on the mound, the Braves are in a strong position to extend the Twins’ skid and take control of the series. Atlanta’s depth and versatility have been key factors in their success this season, and they’ll be looking to continue that trend as they push toward the postseason.

For the Twins, finding a way to jump-start their offense and get an early lead will be crucial in stopping the Braves’ momentum. With Woods Richardson on the mound, Minnesota will need a strong start and consistent run support to avoid falling further behind in the series.

This game has significant implications for both teams as they jockey for position in their respective divisions. Fans can expect a competitive contest as the Braves look to maintain their dominance and the Twins fight to turn their fortunes around.

For a money-line pick, our lean would be to take the Twins to come out on top at home. We are also leaning towards the over, as this is projected to be the 10th highest-scoring game of today’s league slate. The Twins have the 9th best home run projection, and Simeon Woods Richardson is 11th among today’s starters to pick up a win.