Scott Spreitzer
3-Unit Play: Take 919 Twins -140 over White Sox (8:10 p.m., Wednesday, June 27)
I'm backing the Twins with Gibson over Shields. Kyle Gibson has been plagued by poor run support and blown saves by his bullpen, but he's pitching better than he has his whole career and much better than his 2-5 indicates. Also, the right-hander has a 2.00 ERA and a microscopic .139 opponent batting average in seven road starts this season and he allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings versus Chicago. Gibson is 5-2 with a 1.80 ERA against the White Sox the last three seasons and they are a combined 20-for-101 for a .198 batting average against him. Even with Tuesday's loss, the Twins have won nine of the last 13 meetings overall and eight of Gibson's last 11 starts against the White Sox. In addition, Minnesota has won 20 of Gibson's last 28 road starts and Chicago has lost 39 of its last 58 games against right-handed starters dating to last season. The Twins have scored 10 runs in 12 2/3 innings against James Shields this year and the White Sox have lost five of his last six starts. I'm backing the Twins on Wednesday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
2-Unit Play: Take 927 Cardinals -110 over Indians (8:15 p.m., Wednesday, June 27)
I'm backing the Cardinals with Flaherty over Bieber. Cleveland's bats have been silenced at St. Louis (unfortunately for us last night), and the Indians fell to 16-22 on the road with a 11-2 loss to the Cardinals on Tuesday night after being shut out the night before. Now they have to face Jack Flaherty, who took a no-hitter into the seventh inning in Friday's 2-1 loss to Milwaukee. The Cardinals still have won five of his last seven starts and he has allowed more than one run just twice his last eight outings. Opposing hitters are batting only .201 against Flaherty, who has a current ERA of 2.50. Matt Carpenter had five hits in Tuesday's win and is 8-for-9 in the series, including two homers and two doubles. The Cardinals have won four in a row and will face Shane Bieber, who has looked good in two home games, but gave up four runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings in his only road start at Minnesota. The Indians are 5-12 their last 17 interleague road games. Also, Cleveland is 7-15 its last 22 interleague games versus right-handed starters dating to last season. I'm backing the Cardinals on Wednesday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.