#Cardinals vs. Twins: Motivated Carlos Martinez will be the difference

Mailbox full of readers ripping Dr. Fauci’s first pitch on national TV. To the doctor’s credit he is owning it. “Look, this thing isn’t going away and it’s going to get worse before it gets better. Whether it’s this year or next I’m not certain. That’s something I don’t like saying but that’s the way it is.”

Twins will play their home opener Tuesday night. Minnesota is 2-1 after opening weekend, as are the visiting Cardinals. The 34-year-old righty Homer Bailey goes for the Twins, the veteran’s fourth team in the past two years. The former Red pitched for both the Royals and A’s last year, finishing 13-9 with a 4.57 ERA after being shuffled around. Maybe Homer has found a new home where he can flourish.

Carlos Martinez, a lifetime Cardinal, will make his first start in nearly two years. He was shaky last year as the closer, posting a 3.17 ERA out of the bullpen. Twinkies won for us Sunday, but we will back the motivated Martinez and the Cards for 20 units.

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Rays put up an 8 in the fourth inning on their way to a 14-5 win over the Braves. Tampa Bay with five homers. Tyler Glasnow fanned nine over four innings of work. 4-1 record has us at 265 juliolugos.