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Yankees Host Twins in Potential Wild Card Play-In Game Matchup

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This series presents some interesting choices in drafting a lineup. On paper, a few key metrics (and intangibles) look to favor the visiting Minnesota Twins. Such as:

  • Although they dropped 2 of 3 to Toronto over the weekend, they’ve generally been playing good baseball of late.
  • The Twins are a better road team (39-32) than a home team (39-39).
  • Minnesota is 45-26 against the spread on the road.
  • Tonight’s starter Ervin Santana (15-7) has been lights out on the road in 2017 with a 2.74 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 92 innings.
  • Santana hasn’t faced the Yankees yet this season, but pitched decently against them over the past three years — a 3.15 ERA over three starts (20 innings), allowing three HRs and striking out 12. He had slightly less success pitching at Yankee Stadium over that time span (albeit a smaller sample), with a 3.55 ERA over two starts (12.2 innings total), allowing two HRs and striking out 8. The Yankees hit Santana at a .265 clip at home.

Monday, September 18, 2017 vs Minnesota Twins

Key Stats At-A-Glance

The Spread : Twins +146, Yankees -156
Over/Under : 8.5
Line Moves : Late money coming in on New York
The Ballpark : Yankee Stadium is regarded as a hitter’s park.
Gametime Weather : 71°, mostly cloudy, Wind ENE 9 MPH, 0% chance of rain.

Ervin Santana vs The New York Yankees

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Ervine Santana ($10,500) : In his last start on Septmeber 14th, he had a no-decision after dealing seven strikeouts over six shutout innings against the Padres, allowing only three hits. Santana is stingy with the long ball (1.35/9) and averages 7K/9). He’s most effective when keeping the ball down and in on the hitter. Here’s who we like in today’s lineup.

  • Greg Bird ($3,300) : Starting at first base tonight, Bird might want to send a limo to make sure Santana gets to the ballpark. Bird has two 2-run homers in 3 ABs off him. Sure, a micro-sample but don’t bet against the streak!
  • Jacoby Ellsbury ($4,100) : Starting in CF and batting 7th, Ellsbury is 9-33 (.273) a home run off Santana. Ellsbury is having a torrid September, hitting .413 with 5 doubles, a triple and 10 walks. Not to mention a catcher’s interference or two. A solid pick for the price.
  • Todd Frazier ($4,000) : While not hitting for average, Frazier has had some timely hits in September, and tonight would certainly be a time for another one. He’s only 3-19 against Santana, but two of those three have been long balls.

Jaime Garcia vs Minnesota Twins

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Jaime Garcia ($6,600) : Garcia brings a record of 0-2 (4.60 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) over six starts with the Yankees. He’s allowed 15 ER in 29.1 innings, including 5 home runs, with 17 BBs and 24 strikeouts. He’s coming off what many (including Garcia) felt was a quick hook by Joe Girardi in his last start, and facing the team that traded for him, then traded him within a couple of weeks.
Garcia has not faced hitters on Minnesota’s current lineup enough for anyone to jump out (no one other than Jason Castro has more than 3 ABs, and he has only 8.) The Twins overall are 5-26 against Garcia with three strikeouts. However he should be con

  • Eddie Rosario ($4,800) : The outfielder has six home runs and 12 RBI over his past 10 games. A lefty power bat is always dagerous in Yankee Stadium!
  • Jason Castro ($3,400) : Over his last 7 games, Castro is hitting .280 with 2 HR, 5 RBI.
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    THE FINE PRINT : The fantasy lineup suggestions are purely speculation and should not be taken as gospel. Anything can and will happen in a baseball game, but this content is designed to provide a starting point for your lineup research. Best of luck, and let’s go Yankees!

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