Pirates vs Twins predictions
When you look at the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup for this matchup at Target Field, you can’t help but keep an eye on Oneil Cruz. He’s got the power to do some damage and is always a threat to go deep, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him find the seats or at least drive in a couple of runs. Andrew McCutchen has quietly been one of their more reliable bats, and I expect him to keep plugging away with a few hits and maybe even set the table for Bryan Reynolds, who’s the kind of guy that can come through with runners on base. Mitch Keller takes the mound for Pittsburgh, and while he’s been up and down, he’s fully capable of stringing together five solid innings with some strikeouts—if his command holds up.
Now, swinging over to the Minnesota Twins, the hype is all around Byron Buxton, especially after hitting for the cycle. He’s been on a tear lately, so I could see him staying hot with another multi-hit game and putting some real pressure on that Pirates’ pitching staff. Carlos Correa is never one to be overlooked—he’s got that knack for big moments and the patience to work counts, so expect him to set up some scoring chances. Simeon Woods Richardson is getting the start for the Twins, and with the way he mixes up his pitches, he could give the Pirates’ bats trouble, notching a handful of strikeouts and keeping the scoreboard manageable.
After sizing up both squads, the Minnesota Twins just look like they have the edge right now, especially given how well their lineup is clicking at home. With Buxton leading the charge and their starter poised to handle business, it seems like everything is tipping in the Twins’ favor in this series. While the Pirates have a few players who could make things interesting, the smart money is on Minnesota keeping their recent momentum rolling and snagging another win in front of their home crowd.
