Walker Jenkins Arrives At The Right Time

Pick: Minnesota Twins -117

Minnesota opens a three-game home series against the AL Central-leading White Sox with Walker Jenkins expected to make his MLB debut, while Chicago counters with Luis Castillo. Bookmaker Sportsbook has Minnesota -117, Chicago +104 and the total at 9. The Twins return home after a 1-5 road trip; Chicago arrives 70-63 after winning three of four.

The timing of Jenkins’ promotion is interesting enough. The pitcher waiting for him makes it better.

Castillo’s Left-Handed Problem Has A New Name

Castillo has allowed an .846 OPS to left-handed hitters this season and an .874 OPS overall across his last 28 days. His most recent start lasted only 2⅔ innings against the Mets, who collected eight hits and four runs against him.

Walker Jenkins arrives hitting left-handed after destroying Triple-A pitching in August: .411 average, .488 on-base percentage, and eight home runs in 18 games. Minnesota promoted him after Byron Buxton aggravated his hip, and MLB expects Jenkins to debut Friday.

He does not need to arrive looking like a No. 15 overall prospect. Castillo’s job is already complicated by a Minnesota lineup capable of stacking left-handed looks around him.

Twenty-one years old, first night in the majors, and somebody handed him a favorable platoon split. Welcome aboard.

Minnesota Twins Didn’t Call Walker Jenkins Up To Watch

The Twins are 64-70 and just returned from a six-game trip in which they went 1-5. Luke Keaschall rejected the idea that the clubhouse would drag those losses home, saying the focus has to become simply: “We’ve got a ballgame today, and you’ve got to win that game.”

Jenkins gives that lineup a new variable immediately.

He brings more than August power. His Triple-A line included a .407 OBP and 17 stolen bases in 69 games, giving Minnesota another way to pressure Castillo if the veteran continues allowing traffic.

Kremer Gets Peters At Full Temperature

Minnesota starter Dean Kremer has a 5.22 season ERA that hides what has happened since Baltimore traded him. In 22⅔ innings for Minnesota, he owns a 3.18 ERA. Even more awkward for Chicago: Kremer is 4-0 with a 1.53 ERA in five career starts against the White Sox.

Then comes Tristan Peters.

Peters has homered in five consecutive games, hitting .556 with nine RBIs during the streak. He told reporters he has thought about the record “a little bit.” Friday gives him a chance to become the first White Sox hitter to homer in six straight.

Peters is 1-for-2 against Kremer. That sample tells us virtually nothing. Kremer’s recent Minnesota work tells us considerably more.

For readers using the MLB Betting Hub, this is a sharper matchup than the standings suggest. The MLB Playoffs Betting Guide also becomes relevant with Chicago protecting a 2½-game division lead entering the series.

Betting Lean

Minnesota gets the more reliable current starter, a rested bullpen after Thursday’s off day, and a newly promoted left-handed bat against Castillo’s weaker platoon side.

Betting Lean: Minnesota Twins -117

Prediction: Twins 6, White Sox 4

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