Odds, Picks & Predictions: Yankees Vs. Twins (9/7/22)

The Yankees and Twins game for Tuesday, September 6 was rained out. The teams will play a doubleheader on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. For player comments in our game preview of the second game of the doubleheader, visit the Yankees betting preview we published yesterday. Those pitchers are scheduled to meet in the second game of the doubleheader today.

Consult the odds for Game Two here, as the odds on yesterday’s article will not be accurate. Be advised that odds  will shift for Game Two of Wednesday’s doubleheader based on the outcome of Game One.

Starting Pitchers

Game One

Louie Varland (0-0, NO ERA, 0 Ks) vs. Domingo Germán (2-3, 3.12 ERA, 32 Ks)

The Rays will call on Louie Varland to make his MLB debut  for game one. Far from a blue chip prospect, Varland was selected in the 15th round of the 2019 MLB Draft after pitching for Concordia University, St. Paul. 

He’s a right-hander with an upper 90s fastball. In his first taste of Triple-A, he made four starts this season, posting a 1.69 ERA in four starts. He’s struck out 11.3 batters per nine innings as a professional.

Domingo Germán has been the Yankees’ most effective starting pitcher since returning from the IL in July. The 30-year-old righty missed all of April, May, and June, but he’s proven to be consistent for manager Aaron Boone in his nine starts. 

In each of his last three starts, Germán has pitched into the seventh inning and allowed two earned runs or less. His leash is short, however: Germán has yet to exceed 90 pitches this season. 

Game Two

Joe Ryan (10-7, 3.88 ERA, 121 Ks) vs. Gerrit Cole (10-7, 3.28 ERA, 204 Ks)

According to MLB.com and Yankees beat writer Bill Lardson, the Yankees and Rays have decided to send the starters originally scheduled to pitch Tuesday to the mound for the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader.

Cole is seeking his 11th win, but in his only other start against Minnesota in 2022, the big right-hander was shelled for seven runs in only 2⅓ innings on June 9 in Minneapolis.

This will be the first time Joe Ryan has ever faced the New York Yankees

Hot Hitters

Only Aaron Judge has been locked in of late for the struggling Yankees, who have a 25-32 record since July 1. Judge has home runs in each of his last three games, and the Yankees have not won a game where Judge has not homered and he’s played the full game, since August 21.

Our Best Bet Today

Game One Best Bet

• New York Yankees -1.5 / Over 7.5 (+300 via FanDuel Sportsbook)

How would you like to make your major league debut at Yankee Stadium? How would you like to face Aaron Judge in the first inning (maybe even as your first MLB batter)? Wouldn’t you rather be facing Godzilla on the Empire State Building? But for Louie Varland, he will be facing a Godzilla in 6’7 Judge and the Yankees. 

We like New York to win and also push the total runs over 7.5 in Wednesday’s twinbill opener.

Game Two Best Bet

• Gerrit Cole 8+ Strikeouts (No odds as of this writing)

Second games of doubleheaders are typically played quicker, with both the players and umpires in more of a hurry to get off the field. That means more strike calls and an expanded strike zone from the home plate umpire. 

We don’t have player prop odds from FanDuel for Gerrit Cole in Game Two, but if you can get at least +200 on 8+ strikeouts from the Yankee ace, that’s a reasonable bet..

Our Same-Game Parlay

This parlay is for game one of Wednesday’s doubleheader at Yankee Stadium.

• Aaron Judge To Hit a Home Run (+280)
• Luis Arraez To Record 2+ Hits (+200)

Forbes Betting likes Judge to make it four games in a row with a home run. He’ll be facing an untested pitcher in his MLB debut. Arraez is anxious to win the batting title, and with his speed, he can beat out an infield hit, making him a good candidate for multiple knocks. A winning $100 wager on this same-game parlay will get you $1,005.