Minnesota (0-1) at St. Louis (1-0)
- When: Mar 29 2025, 2:15 PM
- Where: Busch Stadium, St. Louis
- Where to watch: MNNT
MLB Betting Preview: Twins vs, Cardinals – Game 2
Moneyline: Minnesota -124 | Total: 7.5
The Minnesota Twins aim to bounce back after a narrow season-opening loss to the St. Louis Cardinals when the two clubs clash again Saturday afternoon at Busch Stadium. Oddsmakers have Minnesota as a slim road favorite at -124 on the moneyline, with the total set at 7.5 runs.
Minnesota Twins Outlook
Minnesota sends right-hander Joe Ryan to the mound, hoping he can return to his early 2024 form after missing the final seven weeks of last season with a shoulder issue. Ryan went 7-7 with a 3.60 ERA in 23 starts last year, showcasing top-end potential before the injury. After a spring training tune-up, where he finished 2-1 with a 5.54 ERA, Ryan feels confident entering the season.
His only previous appearance against St. Louis didn’t go well — he was lit up for seven runs in four innings back in 2023. But expectations are higher this time, especially with the Twins looking to stay competitive in a deep AL Central.
Offensively, Minnesota couldn’t generate enough firepower in the season opener. If they’re to even the series, expect hitters like Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton to take advantage of Fedde’s tendency to allow contact when behind in the count. Minnesota’s lineup will need to back Ryan with early run support to avoid another sluggish outing.
Prediction: Twins -124
Total: Over 7.5 (-110)
Final Score: Twins 5, Cardinals 3
St. Louis Cardinals Outlook
The Cardinals got off to a strong start behind a balanced attack, edging the Twins 5-3 in the opener. They’ll hand the ball to Erick Fedde, who looked sharp in his first year with St. Louis. The righty finished 2024 with a 3.30 ERA and brings past success against Minnesota — a 1.06 ERA across 17 innings in three starts.
Nolan Arenado and Lars Nootbaar led the charge Thursday, both going 2-for-4 with home runs. The revamped lineup looked aggressive and focused, and the bottom of the order added speed and defense, with Victor Scott II and Masyn Winn creating chaos on the bases.
Defensively, the Cardinals flashed some elite plays — Donovan turned in a diving double play, and Scott made a crucial catch in center field. If that momentum continues, St. Louis has the tools to disrupt Ryan’s rhythm early.
Prop Bets to Consider:
Nolan Arenado Over 1.5 Total Bases – Riding momentum after a strong opener.
Lars Nootbaar to Record a Run – Hitting leadoff and seeing the ball well.
Joe Ryan Over 5.5 Strikeouts – Look for him to get swing-and-miss stuff going after a shaky spring.
This game shapes up as another tightly contested matchup, but with Ryan healthy and the Twins looking to bounce back, they get the edge. However, keep an eye on Arenado and Nootbaar to keep things close.
- MLB Odds source: MYBookie Sportsbook
