Posted at 10:00 AM EST. Odds subject to change.

Pinnacle  +104 BET365   +100 Sportsinteraction   +100 888Sport  +100

Detroit +104 over Minnesota

2:10 PM EST. Casey Mize’s (RHP - DET) return from June 2022 Tommy John surgery was slowed by soreness and fatigue late last summer. 2023 ended up being a blank slate but this former 2018 #1 pick was 20 months off surgery when spring training began. His pedigree, BB%/ground-ball% combo from his rookie in 2021 still speaks to outstanding upside. The Tigers are bringing him along slowly. In two starts covering 11 frames, Mize has walked one batter, struck out 8 and has posted an elite ground ball rate of 60%.

Homegrown starter Louie Varland (RHP - MIN) is fighting it. The Wins would love him to be in the rotation because people flock to the park when he starts but their hand may be forced. Varland went 4-3 with a 4.63 ERA in 68 innings for the Twinkies last year. He was summoned to the big-league rotation in late April, and pitched decently before gopheritis got him sent back down in June. He returned as a multi-inning reliever in September and was lights-out (17 K/1 BB in 12 IP) but it was in relief. This year, dude is getting banged around with an ERA/xERA split of 6.85/6.87. There are better days ahead but when you’re battling your confidence and bus rides are around the corner, the pressure to perform well is intense. It’s not like the Twins are hitting well either.

Sherwood

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