MINNESOTA TWINS -140 ? The Twins currently own the best home record in the AL at 29-16. Reed has been ?predictably unpredictable? as of late, in that he has alternated excellent starts with not so great starts in his last 4 efforts. If that pattern holds, he is in line for a solid outing tonight. He held a very hot Oakland team to just 1 run and 5 hits in 7 innings 2 starts back, and then he wasn?t really that awful vs. Seattle, allowing 4 runs and 7 hits in 6 innings. Texas is a poor 16-24 on the road after dropping the series opener here last night. We have documented several times how Valdes will never win as many games as he should because while he always has a good ERA and a good WHIP, he also always seems to give up his runs when the game is on the line. His last start was an aberration, as he only allowed 2 runs despite surrendering 11 hits in just 5.2 innings vs. a weak Tampa Bay team. He would not be so lucky tonight vs. this multi-talented Twins offense if he has a repeat of that performance. The last time Valdes pitched in the Metrodome, he was torched for 5 earned runs and 10 hits in only 5 innings. Finally, the home team is 11-5 when tonight?s scheduled home plate umpire John Shulock works the plate.
