Jim Feist

I’ll be taking the Minnesota Twins in this Monday night game as Minnesota enters play with better recent form coming into the series opener.

The Twins pummeled the Angels 8-0 on Sunday, rolling up 13 hits and posting three-hit games from Alan Roden, Josh Bell and Brooks Lee. Roden had a four RBI day, while Minnesota’s pitching was sharp, allowing only two hits to Los Angeles.

The Giants aren’t rolling in like fashion. San Francisco was swept by the Dodgers in its last series and managed just two hits in Sunday’s 3-1 loss. San Francisco falls to 64-92 on the year, while Minnesota has a season record of 73-83 as we enter the finals regular season games.

Minnesota will send Bailey Ober to the mound versus Blake Tidwell from San Francisco. Ober isn't afraid to throw strikes, limits free passes and pitches deep into games, giving the Twins reliable starting-pitching. Tidwell has had some struggles, and I like Minnesota's improved offense to make runs early.

Minnesota’s biggest advantage may just be its recent offense. The Twins wrapped up their series against the Angels batting well, while the Giants come home having struggled mightily at the plate in Los Angeles. If Minnesota can score four or five runs it could be enough against a Giants offense that can’t seem to get it together.

Jim’s Play: 955. Twins 

I like the Dallas Wings and Phoenix Mercury to go over the total in their Monday game. 

Dallas and Phoenix scored a combined 169 points Saturday in Dallas’ 87-82 victory. While I don’t expect nearly as close of a game Monday night, there’s still reason to believe this matchup will finish in the mid-to-upper 170s.

The Dallas Wings are averaging 89.1 points per game on the season and have been firing on all cylinders recently, putting up 87, 97, 97, 96 and 92 points in its last five games. As a team, Dallas is shooting 47% from the field and has more than enough scoring options outside of Paige Bueckers, who is leading the team in scoring (20.6 ppg).

Phoenix allows 87.3 points per game this season, which should give Dallas another opportunity to score 90-plus points. Offensively, Phoenix is scoring 84.4 points per game and Alyssa Thomas is still one of the best scorers in the league. She registered 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists Saturday when these two teams played last.

Phoenix will also be without Satou Sabally on Monday as she rests up for Tuesday’s game against Seattle. Dallas will be without Alanna Smith, who is one of their best defensive players inside. Phoenix shot just 41% from the field in Saturday’s game but scored 82 points because of Dallas’ lack of defense without Smith.

Take these teams to go over the total here on Monday. 

Jim’s Play: 603. Dal Wings/ Phx Mercury OVER

New York shocked the football world in Week 1 with a 28-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Jaxson Dart contributed to the victory with three passing touchdowns. Beyond that, Dart has played well in primetime throughout his college career, providing the Giants with a quarterback that should be up for the Monday night atmosphere.

Los Angeles’s offense was nonexistent in Week 1, managing just seven points. Quarterback Matthew Stafford struggled, completing just 12 of 27 passes for 124 yards. The Rams might be without receiver Puka Nacua, who is questionable with a hip injury, and Jordan Whittington is doubtful.

Los Angeles also announced that Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett will begin the year on injured reserve after undergoing knee surgery. Without Garrett, it’ll be hard for the Rams defense to consistently pressure Dart. The Giants also have their starting left tackle Andrew Thomas back from injury, as he was recently cleared to play.

Taking into account how well the Giants played in Week 1, the injuries the Rams are dealing with at receiver, and Los Angeles’ offense struggling out of the gate, The Rams may also still be adjusting to the long travel and jet lag from their week 1 trip to Australia.  I like New York to stay within the number down the stretch.

Jim’s Play: 279. Giants

I want to back the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves OVER the Total on Tuesday as the starting pitching matchup presents a golden opportunity for both offenses to jump out to early leads.

Atlanta sends JR Ritchie to the mound and he arrives with a record of 1-3 and a 5.03 ERA. Cincinnati will counter with Brandon Williamson, who is 4-4 with a 5.56 ERA. Neither starter has great ERA support with ERAs over 5.00 so both lineups could see these starters exit relatively early.

Both lineups have plenty of pop to take advantage of this situation. Atlanta swings the bat well with Matt Olson carrying a .506 slugging percentage and Michael Harris II hitting 26 home runs so far this season. The Braves recently clubbed three two-run homers in a 6-2 victory over Houston.

The Reds also have enough pop in their lineup to contribute. Elly De La Cruz is hitting .285 with a .515 slugging percentage. Sal Stewart and Eugenio Suarez provide this lineup with plenty of home-run power. Cincinnati recently scored six runs in Saturday’s 6-4 win over the Cubs.

You also have to like the season-long Over trend with Cincinnati. Reds games are 81-69-2 to the Over while Atlanta contests have gone Over 70 times this season. The current total stands at 9.5 and I believe two shaky starters and power on both sides will take this game to double digits.

Jim’s Play: 905. Reds / Braves OVER

I like both offenses to propel this game OVER here on Tuesday for my WNBA Total of the Year.  Each team has enough offensive weapons to take this game into the 190’s.

These two teams have already played once this season with Minnesota coming away with a 108-100 victory that saw 208 points scored. That game gave us an idea of how tough it can be on either defense when games get played at a quicker pace.

Indiana has been one of the best Over teams in the WNBA this season, going 26-16 to the Over. In the four games leading up to Sunday’s 93-77 loss at Washington, the Fever scored 103, 111, 113 and 102 points. Caitlin Clark also returned to action Sunday and scored 25 points. Clark gives Indiana another weapon they can utilize on offense.

Minnesota is fresh off a 101-89 victory over Connecticut, so both offenses should be clicking on Tuesday. Indiana has been especially lethal at home, scoring 99.2 points per game. Both teams have the ability to reach the mid-to-upper 90s on Tuesday night.

Taking the first meeting into account with 208 points scored and both offenses having the capability of scoring 95-or-more points, I like the upside to shoot past the current number.

Jim’s Play: 609. Min Lynx / Ind Fever OVER (WNBA Total of the Year)