Cole Ragans is back on the mound for the Royals looking to earn his first win of the year against the Twins.
The lefty has pitched well in two previous starts against Minnesota, holding them to just two earned runs on each occasion, but I think Ragan’s numbers through August suggest this one might be a little different.
Ragans’ walk rate has increased since the start of August, while the Twins have also held their own against left-handed pitching all year, ranking bottom five in strikeout percentage and 13th in runs scored.
Don’t look now, but Jose Altuve is slashing .275/.370/.350 through the month of August.
The Astros star second baseman is also riding back to back multi-hit games, which coincides nicely with the four career hits he’s recorded off Rays starter Zach Littell in six plate appearances.
It’s been a down year for Altuve due to injury and the like, but in-form and swinging a hot bat, I like him to record a couple more hits in this game.
Do yourself a favour and back Shohei Ohtani in just about any hitting market you can find ahead of this game.
The future NL MVP has absolutely owned Brewers starter Frankie Montas, taking him yard on five occasions to go with 11 hits and six walks across 33 plate appearances.