Twins Draw First Blood, But Braves Are Ready to Bite Back in Minneapolis

The Minnesota Twins have already landed the first punch in this interleague brawl, and Tuesday night they get a chance to make it a knockout at Target Field. After drawing first blood in the series opener, the Twins welcome the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves for Game 2 with a 1-0 lead and all the momentum on their side.

Pitching probables: A battle of arms

Atlanta hands the ball to Tyler Mahle, who comes in at 4-9 with a 4.64 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP and 105 strikeouts. Minnesota counters with Zebby Matthews, carrying a 6-8 record, a 5.34 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP and 77 Ks.

The oddsmakers have Atlanta as the road favorite at -132, while the Twins sit at +110. The total is set at 8.5 runs. Translation? Expect some swings, and perhaps some fireworks.

By the numbers

Minnesota may sit at 61-65 overall, but they have been respectable in their own building: 33-31 at home. The Twins also rank sixth in the AL in team slugging at .405, so they can hurt you in a hurry.

Atlanta, meanwhile, owns the NL East with a 74-51 record. They have been nearly as dangerous on the road at 32-28, and their arms have been filthy all season—a 3.65 team ERA that ranks second in the NL. But the last game did not go their way, and they know it.

Players to watch

For the Twins, Brooks Lee has been a menace with 19 doubles, three triples and 18 homers. Josh Bell has also found his groove, going 14-for-39 with a double and two bombs in his last 10 games.

Over on Atlanta's side, Matt Olson continues to mash: 31 doubles and 36 home runs. And Drake Baldwin has been quietly clutch, hitting 13-for-41 with three doubles and three RBI over the last 10 contests.

Recent vibes

Neither team is exactly red-hot. The Twins are 4-6 in their last 10, batting .271 with a 5.05 ERA and getting outscored by 11 runs. The Braves? Also 4-6, but they have hit just .209 with a 3.83 ERA and were outscored by six. Something has to give.

Injury report

Both clubs are banged up. Minnesota is missing Austin Martin, Joe Ryan, Mike Paredes, Cole Sands, David Festa, Mick Abel, Anthony Banda, and Pablo Lopez. Atlanta's walking wounded includes Reynaldo Lopez, Robert Suarez, Joe Jimenez, Spencer Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider, and Joey Wentz.