After a rare loss last night, I find myself in the unenviable position of trying to pick a winner in tonight's action on the basepaths. Despite needing a win to stay within striking distance of the Rays for best record in the American League, the Minnesota Twins laid a major egg last night. General handicapping 101 suggests taking superior teams coming off a loss when they still have something to play for. As a wiseman once told me "only a jackass bets on the favorite the night after they clinched something of importance".

After adhering to this time tested discipline of taking a team coming off a loss, I fond myself on the wrong end of a lobsided contest last night. However, in an effort to maintain my strict discipline I am testing the gods of baseball and coming back once again with the Twins tonight. With Scott Baker taking the mound, the Twins put forth a pitcher with a 8-3 record vs. the Royals in his previous 11 starts. Furthermore, after allowing 10 runs in each of their prior games, the Twins find themselves in need of a strong pitcher performance and in a hurry.

Without providing any of my labor intensive historical data, I will instead release a blank check in the form of the Minnesota Twins -105 over the Royals tonight. Again, this one looks too easy but I just can't help myself.