Minnesota Twins vs Atlanta Braves Picks and Predictions August 28th 2024

Behind Chris Sale, Braves seek sweep of struggling Twins

There is an interleague matchup between the Braves and Twins on Wednesday, with the game starting at 7:40 PM ET from Target Field in Minneapolis. Both teams are 72-60, and the Twins are looking to snap a three-game losing streak. The Braves have won two straight and they are favored on the money line (-146), while the Twins are the slight underdogs (+124).

Wednesday’s over/under line is sitting at 7.5 runs, and the forecast for the game in Minneapolis calls for clear skies and temperatures in the low 80s. Chris Sale will start for the Braves, while the Twins are sending David Festa to the mound. Sale is making his Braves debut after being acquired from the Red Sox. BSN will be televising the game.

Atlanta vs. Minnesota Key Information

• Teams: Braves at Twins
• Where: Target Field Minneapolis
• Date: Wednesday, August 28th
• Betting Odds ATL -146 | MIN +124 O/U 7.5

The Braves Can Win If…

Chris Sale gets the start for the Braves today as he faces the Twins on the road. He has made 24 starts this season and has a record of 14-3 with an ERA of 2.62. Sale’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.02. In his 24 appearances, he has turned in 14 quality starts and is averaging 11.64 strikeouts per nine innings. Sale’s last outing came against the Nationals, where he finished with a no-decision, giving up two earned runs in seven innings of work. Before that, he had gone six straight starts without taking a loss.

Marcell Ozuna has been the Braves’ top hitter this season, batting .308 with 37 home runs and 98 RBIs. Matt Olson is also a power threat in the lineup, as he has 23 homers this season, but he is batting just .231. Olson has gone 9/35 in his last nine games, including two homers and 10 RBIs.

As a team, the Braves are averaging 4.3 runs per game and are 4th in the league in home runs. They have been a better offensive team on the road this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game. Over the past nine games, Ramon Laureano has gone 12/35, and Whit Merrifield has gone 13/35.

• The Braves are 8-2 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Braves are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Atlanta has an over/under record of 3-7 in their last ten games.
• The Braves have an average of 5.2 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Braves are 7-3
• Looking back across the Braves last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• Atlanta has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Braves have averaged 6.0 runs per game on offense

The Twins Can Win If…

Right-hander David Festa gets the start for the Twins today as he faces off against the Braves at home. Festa has made seven starts this year and has a record of 2-3 with an ERA of 5.20. In his last outing, he took the loss, going 3 2/3 innings and giving up three earned runs on three hits. Festa has allowed at least one homer in each of his last three outings. Opponents are batting .242 this year off Festa, and his ERA at home is 6.19 compared to 4.05 on the road.

For the season, the Twins are averaging 4.9 runs per game, which is 7th in the league. They have been even better at home, putting up 5.1 runs per game, which is 4th in the league. Minnesota is also one of the league’s top home run hitting teams, as they are 7th in the league in homers. As a team, the Twins are batting .253, which is 6th in the league.

Carlos Santana, Ryan Jeffers, and Willi Castro are the Twins’ top three home run hitters this season, and all three are looking to continue their strong recent play. Jeffers and Castro have gone deep in two of their past six games, while Santana has a three-game hitting streak and has gone deep three times in his last five games. Over this stretch, he is 8/21 (.381).

• The Twins are 3-7 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Twins are 1-4 vs. the run line.
• Minnesota has an over/under record of 6-4 in their last ten games.
• The Twins have an average of 4.2 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Twins are 5-5
• Looking back across the Twins last five games as the favorite, they are 1-4
• Minnesota has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Twins have averaged 4.4 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Our lean for a money-line pick in this Braves vs. Twins matchup is to take the Twins to come out on top at home. As for how we would play the over/under line, we would go with the over, as this is our 3rd lowest projected scoring game of the day. Atlanta starter Chris Sale has the 5th best strikeout projection among today’s starters, but we still like the Twins to come out on top.

The Atlanta Braves are riding high as they head into the final game of their three-game series against the Minnesota Twins. After securing victories in the first two matchups, the Braves are poised to complete the sweep, backed by a resurgent Chris Sale and a recently stabilized starting rotation.

Braves’ Rotation: The Key to Success

The Braves’ success this season has increasingly depended on the strength of their starting pitchers. Manager Brian Snitker has repeatedly emphasized that the team’s fortunes are closely tied to the effectiveness of its rotation. With the rotation now stabilized, Snitker believes his team is ready to push forward.

“We’ve protected our starters early in the season, and now it’s time for them to step up,” Snitker said. “It’s going to be about our pitching, especially our starters. That’s going to be the difference-maker for us.”

Chris Sale: Leading the Charge

Set to start for the Braves on Wednesday night, left-hander Chris Sale has been nothing short of phenomenal this season. Boasting a 14-3 record with a 2.62 ERA, the 35-year-old veteran has reasserted himself as one of the premier pitchers in the National League. Sale leads the league in both wins and ERA, a testament to his dominance on the mound.

In his last three starts, Sale has continued to impress, posting a 1.80 ERA with 26 strikeouts over 20 innings. His ability to control games has been crucial for the Braves, and he’ll be looking to maintain that momentum against a struggling Twins lineup.

Sale’s history against the Twins also bodes well for Atlanta. In 31 career appearances (23 starts) against Minnesota, Sale has compiled an 11-6 record with a 3.81 ERA. He faced the Twins once last season, allowing just one run on three hits over six innings, though he did not factor into the decision.

Twins’ Challenges: Battling to Stay Afloat

The Minnesota Twins, in contrast, are in a tough spot. Having lost three straight games and seven of their last nine, they are struggling to keep pace in the American League Central. Currently 2 1/2 games behind the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians, the Twins are desperate for a win to avoid being swept at home.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli is fully aware of the challenges his team faces. “We know we’ve got to continue to do more,” Baldelli admitted. “There’s frustration, sure, but that doesn’t change what we need to do. We have the capability to play better, and that’s what we need to focus on.”

David Festa: A Rookie Under Pressure

Starting for the Twins will be rookie right-hander David Festa, who has had an up-and-down season. With a 2-3 record and a 5.20 ERA, Festa has shown flashes of potential but has struggled with consistency. His most recent outing saw him give up three runs on three hits in just 3 2/3 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Wednesday’s game will be Festa’s first career appearance against the Braves. The pressure is on for the rookie to deliver a strong performance and give his team a chance to stay in the game.

Michael Harris II: A Spark at the Plate

One player to watch for the Braves is outfielder Michael Harris II, who made a significant impact upon his return from injury. Harris went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer in Tuesday’s game, showcasing the kind of offensive firepower that has made him a key contributor to the Braves’ lineup.

The Stakes: High for Both Teams

For the Braves, a sweep of the Twins would not only maintain their momentum but also further solidify their standing as one of the top teams in the National League. On the other hand, the Twins are fighting to stay relevant in the AL Central race. A win on Wednesday could help them regain some much-needed confidence as they look to turn their season around.

Conclusion

As the Braves seek to complete the sweep, all eyes will be on Chris Sale to see if he can continue his dominant form. Meanwhile, the Twins will be looking to their rookie pitcher, David Festa, to rise to the occasion. With both teams having a lot at stake, Wednesday’s game promises to be an intense and closely contested affair.

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