Minnesota Twins vs Cincinnati Reds Picks and Predictions September 14th 2024

Interleague play continues on Saturday, with the Reds and Twins facing off at 7:10 PM ET. This one is being played at Target Field in Minneapolis, and the Twins are favored on the money line (-153). The money line odds for the Reds are sitting at +128, and they are 4th in the NL Central with a record of 72-77. The Twins are 3rd in the AL Central, with an overall record of 78-69.

The over/under line is currently at 8.5 runs, and MLBN will be televising this one. Nick Martinez is starting for the Reds, and he is facing off against Simeon Woods Richardson for the Twins.

Cincinnati vs. Minnesota Key Information

• Teams: Reds at Twins
• Where: Target Field Minneapolis
• Date: Saturday, September 14th
• Betting Odds MIN -153 | CIN +128 O/U 8.5

The Reds Can Win If…

Cincinnati is sending right-hander Nick Martinez to the mound today vs. the Twins. He has made 13 starts this year and turned in a total of three quality starts. Martinez’s record for the season is 8-6, and he has an ERA of 3.46. One of his recent outings was on September 9th vs. the Braves, where he went seven innings, picking up the win and not giving up a run. In that outing, he only gave up two hits and one walk. Martinez has been pitching well, as he hasn’t given up more than four earned runs in an outing since August 30th.

Elly De La Cruz has been the Reds’ top hitter this season, batting .259 with a team-leading 24 home runs. His 69 RBIs are also the 2nd most on the team. However, he has gone just 8/36 in his last 10 games. Spencer Steer is also near the top of the Reds’ home run leaderboard, but he is batting just .231 for the season.

As a team, the Reds are averaging 4.4 runs per game, which is 15th in the league. They are also 13th in home runs, but are batting just .232 as a team. Currently, Nick Martini and Jonathan India are both on three-game hitting streaks.

• The Reds are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Reds are 4-1 vs. the run line.
• Cincinnati has an over/under record of 3-7 in their last ten games.
• The Reds have an average of 2.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Reds are 5-5
• Looking back across the Reds last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• Cincinnati has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Reds have averaged 3.4 runs per game on offense

The Twins Can Win If…

Right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson gets the start for the Twins today as he faces the Reds at home. He has made 25 starts this season and has a record of 5-4 with a 3.96 ERA. Woods Richardson’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.22. In his last outing, he took the loss, going 4 1/3 innings and giving up two earned runs on three hits. Before that, he had pitched well, picking up the win against the Padres and giving up just one earned run in five innings of work. Woods Richardson has a total of seven quality starts this year.

Carlos Santana has been the Twins‘ top power threat this season, as he leads the team with 21 home runs and 63 RBIs. However, he is hitting just .239. Ryan Jeffers is also near the top of the Twins’ home run and RBI charts, with 20 homers and 61 RBIs. Willi Castro has 11 homers and is batting .248.

Minnesota’s offense has been swinging the bat well of late, as Kyle Farmer has gone 7/14 in his last seven games with three homers and five RBIs. He is also on a five-game hitting streak. Matt Wallner has also homered three times in his last nine games, but he is batting just .250 in that stretch.

• The Twins are 3-7 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Twins are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Minnesota has an over/under record of 4-4-2 in their last ten games.
• The Twins have an average of 4.4 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Twins are 3-7
• Looking back across the Twins last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• Minnesota has gone 0-3 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Twins have averaged 3.5 runs per game on offense

Before placing any bets, ensure you review our comprehensive MLB Betting Guide to make informed decisions.

The Lean

Today’s Reds vs Twins matchup is one that we are leaning towards taking the Twins to win straight-up. As for an over/under pick, we are leaning towards the over, as this is projected to be the 2nd lowest-scoring game of the day. The Reds have the 8th fewest team strikeouts in today’s slate, but we have Simeon Woods Richardson as our 15th ranked starting pitcher in terms of strikeouts.

Carlos Correa Returns for Twins’ Showdown Against Reds: Playoff Race Heats Up for Minnesota

The Minnesota Twins are about to get a major lift as they gear up for the second game of their three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night. After being sidelined since July 12 due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot, three-time All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa is expected to be back in action. His return couldn’t come at a more critical time, as the Twins battle for a playoff spot, clinging to a slim 2.5-game lead over the Detroit Tigers for the final AL Wild Card slot.

With the playoff race getting tighter by the day, Correa’s comeback might just be the edge Minnesota needs to stay ahead in this high-stakes push toward the postseason. Meanwhile, the Reds are ready to play spoiler, with nothing to lose and everything to prove.

Correa’s Impact on the Twins’ Playoff Drive

Having Correa back in the lineup is a game-changer for the Twins. In 75 games before his injury, he was a key contributor, hitting .308 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs. His OPS of .896 was the highest among all Twins players with enough at-bats to qualify, making him an essential offensive weapon. More than his stats, though, Correa brings leadership and playoff experience that’s going to be vital as the Twins try to hold onto that Wild Card spot.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli isn’t stressing about the standings just yet, but he knows how important these games are. “We’re in the home stretch, and we’re giving everything we’ve got to win these games,” Baldelli said, clearly recognizing the urgency. With Correa back in the mix, the Twins are much better equipped to handle the pressure of these final weeks.

Buxton Adds Even More Firepower

Adding to the Twins’ arsenal, Byron Buxton recently returned from the injured list and wasted no time making his presence felt. In his first game back on Friday, Buxton went deep, hitting his 17th home run of the season. His blend of power, speed, and defensive skill makes him a huge asset, and with him and Correa both back in the lineup, the Twins suddenly look much more dangerous.

Buxton’s return couldn’t have come at a better time. As Minnesota tries to close out the regular season on a strong note, having two of their best players healthy and ready to contribute could be the difference-maker they need to secure a playoff berth.

Reds Ready to Play Spoiler

Don’t let the Reds’ (72-77) record fool you—they aren’t rolling over for anybody. Cincinnati took the series opener 8-4 on Friday, with their young star Elly De La Cruz stealing the show by hitting his first career grand slam. The Reds might be out of the playoff race, but they’re still playing hard, and with rising talents like De La Cruz leading the charge, they’re fully capable of giving playoff-bound teams like the Twins a hard time.

Cincinnati has embraced the role of spoiler, and their young players are hungry to make an impression as they gear up for next season. The Reds will be looking to upset the Twins’ postseason plans while gaining valuable experience in the process.

Key Pitching Matchup: Martinez vs. Woods Richardson

Saturday’s game will feature an intriguing pitching duel between Reds right-hander Nick Martinez (8-6, 3.46 ERA) and Twins right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (5-4, 3.96 ERA).

Martinez has been on a roll lately, winning back-to-back starts against tough playoff-bound teams like the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves. His last outing was especially impressive: seven scoreless innings, allowing only two hits in a 1-0 win over Atlanta. Though he’s primarily been used as a reliever this season, Martinez has proved he can handle the starting role. That said, he hasn’t had much success against the Twins in the past, sporting a rough 6.75 ERA in five career appearances against them.

Woods Richardson, on the other hand, has had a bit of a bumpy stretch. He’s searching for his first win since August 21 and has been inconsistent over his last few starts. In his last outing, he allowed two runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Kansas City Royals. This will be his first career start against the Reds, and the Twins will need him to step up and deliver a solid performance if they want to avoid slipping in the Wild Card race.

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What to Watch for in Saturday’s Game

Carlos Correa’s Comeback: Correa’s return is a huge deal for the Twins. After missing over two months, his bat and leadership are crucial for Minnesota as they fight for a playoff spot. Expect him to make an immediate impact.

Playoff-Level Urgency: With the season winding down, the Twins know they need to play like every game is do-or-die. Manager Rocco Baldelli has made it clear that the team is approaching these games with playoff-level intensity, and you can expect them to leave it all on the field.

Buxton’s Game-Changing Presence: Byron Buxton is back, and he’s already showing why he’s one of the most electrifying players in the league. His power and speed make him a threat every time he steps on the field, and his ability to change a game in a single at-bat could be the X-factor for the Twins down the stretch.

Reds’ Spoiler Mentality: Cincinnati may be out of the playoff picture, but that doesn’t mean they’re taking it easy. With young stars like Elly De La Cruz playing with confidence, the Reds are eager to throw a wrench in the Twins’ playoff plans.

Pitching Duel: Nick Martinez has been lights-out in his recent starts, but his struggles against the Twins in the past could give Minnesota the edge. On the flip side, Simeon Woods Richardson needs to deliver a quality outing to keep the Twins in the game. This pitching matchup will be a critical factor in determining the outcome of the game.

Conclusion

The Twins are entering a pivotal moment in their season, and Carlos Correa’s return could provide the spark they need to secure a playoff spot. With both Correa and Buxton back in the lineup, Minnesota’s offense looks much more potent. But standing in their way is a Cincinnati team that’s embracing the role of spoiler, led by exciting young talent like Elly De La Cruz and backed by strong performances from Nick Martinez.

As the playoff race intensifies, every game matters, and the Twins can’t afford to slip up. Saturday’s matchup promises to be a high-stakes battle, with both teams having plenty to fight for as the season nears its thrilling conclusion