How about that TNF game!? Tonight's parlay is Guardians ML vs. Twins and Mets -1.5 vs. Pirates. More info below on a chance to win $100 👇

MLB Playoff Picture

There's nothing quite like MLB division races in September, and with just weeks left in the regular season, the playoff field is beginning to be etched in stone 🔒

• On Sunday, the Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a postseason berth, and on Wednesday they officially claimed their ninth NL West title in the last 10 years 🤯

• Elsewhere in the NL, the Braves and Mets are currently locked in a thrilling battle for NL East supremacy, with just 1 game separating the two heavyweights atop the division (although neither looks ready to run away with it 😂)

With three more head-to-head matchups between the two squads to start October, the NL East race is going to be one to keep an eye on all the way up until Game 162. Over in the AL, there's a race brewing in the Central that could be a battle until the bitter end as well 😮‍💨

• The Guardians, White Sox and Twins all have a legitimate shot at winning the division, with just four games separating first-place Cleveland and third-place Minnesota

• Chicago, three games back from Cleveland in second place, is currently 6.5 games out of the last Wild Card spot, so it's likely a Central crown is the only path to the postseason for any of these clubs

The three division rivals will be seeing a lot of each other over the next few weeks, so there will be plenty of opportunities for each to play their way into the playoffs. But as it stands, here's their chances of extending their season 👇

MLB Playoff Chances (according to FanGraphs)

• Cleveland Guardians: 77.1%

• Chicago White Sox: 19.2%

• Minnesota Twins: 7%

With their current cushion, the Guardians are in the driver's seat, and the Twins, who led the division as recently as September 4th, are the long shot. But with five straight games between the two teams starting tonight, that could change very quickly 😳

Twins vs. Guardians Preview

This series between the Guardians and Twins is as crucial as it gets, with five chances for either Cleveland to strengthen their grip on first place, or for Minnesota to make their push. Here's how the lines are looking for the opener at Progressive Field tonight 👇

Twins vs. Guardians Betting Preview (subject to change) 

• Spread: Guardians -1.5

• Moneyline: Guardians -125 (bet $125 to win $100), Twins +102 (bet $100 to win $102)

• O/U: 7.5 Total Runs

Ahead of tonight's showdown, the Guardians and Twins are largely trending in opposite directions, and the pitching matchup epitomizes that contrast 🔀

• Taking the bump for Cleveland is Triston McKenzie, who has been one of the best starting pitchers in baseball since the calendar flipped to July. In 13 starts since then, the young right-hander affectionately known as "Dr. Sticks" has a 2.12 ERA and is averaging over a strikeout per inning

• Meanwhile, Minnesota's starter will be Bailey Ober, who will be making his first appearance since June 1 in his return from the 60-day IL

But while one Twins' starting pitcher is returning to the fold, elsewhere in the rotation the injury bug is rearing its ugly head at the worst possible time 🤢

• Deadline prize Tyler Mahle and Chris Archer are the latest Minnesota hurlers to hit the IL, and their offense hasn't been immune either. Two of their best hitters, Byron Buxton and Jorge Polanco, are on the shelf as well

• On the other hand, the Guardians are nearly at full strength and seem to only be getting stronger. Jose Ramirez remains one of the best hitters on the planet, and don't overlook the recent contributions of unheralded rookie Oscar Gonzalez ⬇️

Gonzalez is batting .353 with four homers this month, and if he keeps mashing while McKenzie keeps dealing, the Guardians are going to be tough to take down tonight 😤

For My Parlay Gurus

The tighter the race, the more intense the action, and tonight I'm going with a couple division leaders to pick up much-needed wins as they look to hold off their challengers. Check out this parlay 👇

• Guardians ML vs. Twins: -125

• Mets -1.5 vs. Pirates: -120

$100 on this bet would win you $230 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win up to $100*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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