Stefan Mychajliw: Tom, what's Barton's Best Bet this week?
Tom Barton: "The gift that keeps on giving—Minnesota comes to town. I'm taking the Yankees to win this three-game series over the Twins. You'll have to lay a little juice, but I'm perfectly fine with that."
Stefan Mychajliw: Why are you so confident?
Tom Barton: "Because the Yankees own the Twins. Since 2019, they've won 11 of the last 12 series. They're winning at nearly a 70 percent clip against Minnesota when you include the playoffs. Over the last decade, they've dominated this matchup."
Stefan Mychajliw: So history really is on the Yankees' side.
Tom Barton: "Absolutely. The Twins have never beaten the Yankees in the playoffs, and they struggle against them in the regular season, too. With Rodón and Cole expected to pitch during the series, it's another tough draw for Minnesota."
Stefan Mychajliw: Aaron Judge is still sidelined. Any update there?
Tom Barton: "Aaron Boone said Judge still isn't ramping up baseball activities, and I wouldn't expect him to yet. I've said all along I don't expect to see him before September. Give him three or four weeks to get ready for the postseason."
Stefan Mychajliw: But why rush him back at all?
Tom Barton: "Exactly. The Yankees are still in first place. Their run differential is around plus-150, while most other American League contenders are barely in double digits. They're proving they're the best team in the league even without Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. There's no reason to rush anybody."
Barton's Best Bet: New York Yankees to win the three-game series over the Minnesota Twins.