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