We have three major things going for us in trying to get these two teams to reach double-digits in runs today.

No. 1: Bartolo Colon. He's old, overweight and washed-up. The 44-year-old has given up at least seven hits in 13 of his 15 starts. His ERA is a fat 8.00. The Braves finally gave up on him. I was surprised the Twins picked him up. Colon has made two starts for Minnesota giving up a combined seven runs and 16 hits in nine innings. Said Twins manager Paul Molitor about Colon. "...We're just hoping that each out there for us he's a little bit better." Not exactly high praise, or showing a lot of confidence.

No. 2: The bullpens. They are both brutal. The Twins only have one good reliever, Brandon Kintzler, and he couldn't pitch Saturday because of a heavy workload. He's a trade candidate, too, raising the possibility that he might be held out a second straight game. The A's' bullpen was gutted when they dealt Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle to Washington. Oakland doesn't have reliable setup men now, nor a closer.

No. 3: Jharel Cotton. He's going to get the start instead of Sonny Gray. Cotton is a rookie with some potential so he's a bit of a wildcard. This is his first start since July 3 when he went on the DL for a blister on his right thumb. Cotton has been disappointing with a 5.17 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. The Twins got a whiff of him back in May scoring three runs, including hitting two homers, in six innings.

The Twins have scored at least five runs in four of their last seven games.

There will be a slight wind blowing out to right. Home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi is neutral as far as over/unders.