Blossoming Left Handers Take Center Stage

Heading into the regular season’s final month, the Minnesota Twins, (77-60, 82-53 RL, 72-59-4 O/U) have won three of their last five contests, including an emphatic 12-4 win over the Oakland A’s on Sunday, to remain within striking distance of the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox.

The Toronto Blue Jays, (70-66, 67-69 RL, 56-73-7 O/U) have won two straight games, including Monday’s 6-2 victory over the New York Yankees, to keep their slim AL wild card hopes alive.

Tonight, each ballclub will look to pick up another victory while taking another step toward what each team hopes will be a postseason appearance in 2008.

The Twins will hand the ball to red-hot rookie southpaw, Glen Perkins (12-3, 3.96) who has won each of his last four starts. Perkins was solid, but not overpowering, in his last start, allowing four runs on eight hits in seven innings of Minnesota’s 6-5 win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.

Toronto will counter with their own left-handed starter in David Purcey (2-5, 5.53 ERA) who took a tough loss on the chin after delivering a powerful performance in his last start. Purcey limited the Tampa Bay Rays to one run in eight innings while striking out 11 batters but saw his stellar effort go up in flames in the Blue Jays’ 1-0 loss on Wednesday.

Here is a look at tonight’s key online sports wagering trends followed by my analysis and MLB betting Free Picks.

The Twins are 5-0 in Perkins' last five starts on field turf.

The Twins are 5-1 in Perkins' last six starts vs. a team with a winning record.

The Blue Jays are 1-4 in Purcey’s last five starts on field turf.

The Blue Jays are 0-4 in Purcey’s last four starts vs. a team with a winning record.

The Over is 5-1 in Perkins' last six starts overall.

The Under is 4-0 in Purcey’s last four starts overall.

The Over is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings in Toronto.

The Twins are 0-4 in the last four meetings in Toronto.

MLB Odds

Minnesota Twins +1½ -190

Glen Perkins –L -120

Toronto Blue Jays +1½ -160

David Purcey –L Ev

Over 8½ -120

Under 8½ Ev

Analysis: This game has the look of a thriller already with two blossoming young lefty’s taking the mound for their respective teams tonight. While the Blue Jays are playing at home tonight, I like the feisty Minnesota Twins to win this matchup behind another strong start from Glen Perkins. Take the Twins to win, but the Blue Jays to cover the Run Line in a close loss that goes ‘Under’ the 8 1/2 –run total.

MLB Free Picks: Twins 4 Blue Jays 3