Free Pick | MLB | Thursday | Sep. 4

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#960 Minnesota Twins (Bradley) -145 over Chicago White Sox (Ellard) 6:40 PM CT

Supporting the Twins at a healthy favorite price takes some courage with Minnesota 11-20 since August 1 and minus 51 in run differential. Minnesota is in danger of suffering a four-game home sweep at the hands of the White Sox to start September, however. Two of the losses came in one-run games and newcomer Taj Bradley has 69 MLB starts with some potential shown even if his 2025 season line has been marginal. Bradley’s first start with the Twins was a disaster against this Chicago lineup but it was on the road and his Target Field start on Saturday was a strong outing. Fraser Ellard made his MLB debut last season for the White Sox, but he has made just one career MLB start. His career BB/9 at the MLB level is 5.7 and he won’t be much more than an opener on Thursday afternoon. Minnesota has hit effectively vs. left-handers with a .310 team average and 8.4 runs per nine over the past 10 games. Ellard’s last start was a true bullpen game with six pitchers following him in an eventual 6-5 win on Monday, but Jonathan Cannon may be given some work today, just recalled from AAA. Cannon had a 5.34 ERA in 96 innings before being sent down to Charlotte, where he didn’t pitch any better in five minor league starts, featuring a 5.40 ERA. Cannon’s only appearance at Target Field was last season and he allowed nine hits and six runs. Despite the four-game winning streak, Chicago is batting just .226 vs. right-handers in the past 10 games and while both bullpens have struggled recently, Bradley has more potential for a decent starting effort to keep Minnesota’s relief options in order. Chicago is still just 22-46 in road games and 10 games worse than Minnesota in overall record as the Twins should show some fight with Minnesota only swept once at home all season despite tumbling in the standings.