Two AL wild-card threats collide in the Bronx as Minnesota visits New York with a one-game cushion in the wild-card race and Carlos Rodón set to start Game 2 for the Yankees. New York, though a heavy favorite, has cooled offensively while Minnesota has not yet named a starter for this rematch, keeping bettors on edge about bullpen leverage and late-inning drama. Byron Buxton looms as the marquee prop play at +260 for a home run, anchored by his 24 homers and .282 season mark, plus favorable splits against lefties and a history against Rodón that could tip a tight game.

Buxton’s prop sits amid a curious mix: Rodón brings a 11-7 record and a 3.35 ERA but has yielded 19 homers in 24 appearances, a red flag for Yankees backers if Minnesota can coax a mistake. Minnesota’s bullpen is among the league’s harder-guess groups this season, while the Yankees show notable offensive dips in recent weeks. The dynamic is a narrative-driven, value-heavy gamble: Minnesota +1.5 could offer a hedge against a Yankee fade, while Buxton’s power upside provides a high-ceiling angle in a game that could swing on a single swing or a key bullpen battle.