Cincinnati Reds (71-77) vs. Minnesota Twins (78-68)
The 2024 MLB season continues on Friday, September 13, with an exciting interleague matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis, MN. The game is set to begin at 8:10 PM ET.
This series marks the start of a three-game showdown. The Twins enter as -215 moneyline favorites, with the total set at 8.5 runs. In their previous encounters last year, Minnesota won two out of three against Cincinnati at Great American Ball Park.
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Reds Seek to End Their Losing Streak
The Cincinnati Reds are reeling after a 6-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. This defeat adds to their recent struggles, marking their fourth loss in seven games and a disappointing end to a three-game series in St. Louis.
With a record of 71-77, the Reds find themselves ten games behind the final wild-card position in the National League, effectively ending their playoff hopes for the fourth consecutive season. Over the past two weeks, their offensive numbers have dipped to a .226 batting average, a .309 on-base percentage, and a .323 slugging percentage, totaling ten home runs in 495 at-bats.
Julian Aguiar is slated to start on the mound for Cincinnati. The rookie right-hander, at just 23 years old, holds a 1-0 record, but his ERA sits at 5.06 with a 1.36 WHIP across five starts, totaling 21.1 innings pitched this season. In his last outing, he delivered an impressive performance, throwing 4.2 scoreless innings against the New York Mets, allowing only a couple of hits and walks.
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Twins Aim for Momentum Boost
The Minnesota Twins enjoyed a day off on Thursday and are looking to build on their recent success. Following a three-game home series against the Los Angeles Angels, they bounced back after a loss in the opener to secure wins in the final two games, 10-5 and 6-4.
Despite the recent victories, the Twins have faced their own challenges lately, losing six of their last nine games. During this stretch, they have only managed to score 29 runs, posting a .220 batting average, a .272 on-base percentage, and a .381 slugging percentage with ten home runs in 291 at-bats. Their bullpen has been a concern as well, accumulating a 5.23 ERA and a .250 batting average against.
Bailey Ober is expected to take the mound for Minnesota. The 29-year-old right-hander has been solid this season, posting a 12-6 record with a 3.77 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 27 starts, totaling 155 innings pitched. Ober has excelled in his last two games, allowing just one earned run on two hits and three walks over 13 innings.
Strategic Insights for Reds vs. Twins
The Cincinnati Reds have struggled against Bailey Ober in their matchups, with a dismal record of 5-for-46 and only two doubles. Their offensive struggles are evident, as they carry a .678 OPS, .086 ISO, and an 88 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers in September, suggesting Ober is likely to perform well against them.
Conversely, Julian Aguiar faces a tough challenge in containing Minnesota’s lineup. The Twins have shown decent power against righties this month, with a .706 OPS, .161 ISO, and a 101 wRC+. If Ober continues to pitch effectively, the Twins are poised to cover the runline, especially if Aguiar falters early in the game.
