Twins vs Mariners predictions
When it comes to the Minnesota Twins, it’s easy to see Byron Buxton as a major focal point in their lineup. The guy’s been seeing the ball well, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he delivers another hit or two tonight with his combination of speed and pop—maybe even a long ball if Luis Castillo leaves one out over the plate. Carlos Correa seems primed to chip in with a couple of base knocks and could pick up an RBI, while Willi Castro’s blend of contact and hustle should help Minnesota produce a few scoring opportunities. Chris Paddack on the mound, meanwhile, has looked steady lately; if he can get through five-plus innings while limiting the damage, this game could easily swing in the Twins’ favor.
Looking across the diamond, the Seattle Mariners are set to counter with their ace, Luis Castillo, who’s been stingy at home all season. You just get the feeling he’ll rack up five or six punchouts and keep runs off the board in the early going. In the batter’s box, J.P. Crawford’s dependable at the top of the order, so expect him to spark the offense with a couple of hits and maybe score a run. Cal Raleigh, the heart-and-soul behind the plate, has powered up all year—don’t be shocked if he adds yet another home run, giving the Mariners a much-needed boost. Then there’s Julio Rodriguez, who always seems to get himself involved whether it’s on the basepaths or driving guys in.
With the series on the line and both teams sporting identical 31-26 records, this matchup has the makings of a classic. Still, considering Seattle’s knack for manufacturing runs at home and having Castillo toeing the rubber, I’m leaning toward the Mariners pulling off the win in front of their home crowd at T-Mobile Park. Their lineup has the edge in firepower right now, and if the bullpen holds steady, Seattle looks set to secure the series. But hey, that’s why they play the games—anything can happen in MLB, and you never want to count out the Twins’ ability to pull off a late-game rally.
