New York at Minnesota

Minnesota is a home dog, but playing well at home with a .500 mark, while the Yankees are in a tough situational spot playing their fourth road game of a long trip. New York is in a slump, losing six of eight, with all kinds of starting pitching depth problems. That weighs heavily on the bullpen, and everyone is taxed. Aging starter Kuroda goes here, and he's been terrible on the road with the Yankees at 3-11 his last 14 road starts. And when the Yankees face a team with a losing record with Kuroda starting, New York is 0-8 in those starts!  Kuroda got behind in the count frequently in his last start, as his 17-of-34 first-pitch balls allowed the Rays' bats to sit back and wait for their pitch to drive. Kuroda's ERA (4.08) is still above 4.00, a mark he's failed to get below since his third start of the season, and he has just one win in his last six starts, not exactly elite numbers for the $16 million dollar righty. Minnesota plays best at home, and start Ricky Nolasco is 4-1 in his last five home starts. Nolasco pitched six innings, allowing just one run on eight hits (no walks) and striking out three batters to beat the Royals 10-2, making this a good spot for the home dog. Play Minnesota!