Twins head to the Bronx for Game 2 against the Yankees, leaning on a bullpen-first approach after a 6-2 loss in the series opener. Minnesota hands the ball to a TBD starter while Carlos Rodón starts for New York, a matchup that leans Bronx-ward given Rodón’s home-form and the Yankees’ power display in Game 1 with Cody Bellinger, Giancarlo Stanton, Ben Rice, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. driving the offense and Will Warren delivering 6.2 innings of two-run ball for the Twins.

Odds place the Yankees as the favorite at -220 on the moneyline with a -1.5 spread and a 9.0 total. NBC Sports’ model backs the Bronx squad on the moneyline, with a lean toward the Yankees /> at -1.5 and no strong bet on the total. Trends note Rodón’s strong home record and a lingering dip in Judge’s production since returning from the DL, while Goldschmidt’s recent slump and the surrounding Yankee lineup context shape the betting and lineup decisions for this showdown.

Volpe’s surge to superstardom has collided with a summer funk, and Nettles’ blunt take on how Martin would handle the Yankees’ woes underscores a broader clubhouse tension as Boone navigates a flawed, loyally held roster. New York sits 5.5 games back in the AL East and only a hair ahead of Cleveland for the final Wild Card, tightening questions about Boone’s future and the team’s direction.

Austin Wells and Devin Williams surface in the fallout, with Wells’s rookie development and Williams’s lost closer role highlighting bullpen and defensive gaps. Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s baserunning missteps and Wells’s catch-work viral moments stress the margin between potential and performance. For fantasy players, Volpe remains a high ceiling, Wells a growing workload bet, and Williams a speculative rebound candidate amid bullpen churn.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. joined a rare Yankees club on Monday night, belting his 20th homer of the season and moving into the 20-homer, 15-steal tier for a second baseman. Only Alfonso Soriano and Joe Gordon have done it for New York in franchise history, underscoring how unique Chisholm’s blend of power and speed can be. His season hasn’t been a straight line—scorching to start, a midseason lull, a trip to the injured list, and now a steady resurgence—but the 2024 deadline deadline-day acquisition is paying dividends in the Bronx. The Yankees have embraced him, and the Bronx appears to have embraced him back. With plenty of season left, he has room to climb the numbers and leave an even bigger mark in fantasy rosters.

Chisholm’s impact isn’t just about one big night. He brings multi-category upside that keeps him among the more dynamic middle-infield options in fantasy and real-life lineups. As he continues to trend upward, managers should weigh his durability and the lineup surrounding him when projecting rest-of-season production. The combination of pop, speed, and a favorable batting order spot makes his remaining schedule and surrounding players critical to his continued counting stats and overall fantasy value.

New York surged to a commanding 6-2 win over Minnesota in the series opener, four homers fueling the attack as Will Warren worked 6.2 innings with two runs allowed on three hits. His velocity climbed to 97.1 mph at times, lifting his season ERA to 4.34 and extending a stretch of at least five innings and two runs or fewer in four straight starts. The Bombers backed him with early and late thunder: Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton went deep, Ben Rice followed Stanton with a solo shot, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. added a late homer for the 10-hit night.

Across the diamond, Aaron Judge sat DH duty due to an elbow limitation, while Stanton thrived in right field and Rice became more prominent behind the plate as Wells pressed through his quieter stretch. The seventh inning added insurance as Ryan McMahon doubled and scored on Trent Grisham’s RBI single before Judge’s RBI single padded the lead. Luke Weaver pitched 1.1 scoreless in relief, and Bednar closed it out for the series-opening victory as the Yankees pivot toward Rodon to seal the series on Tuesday.

Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, both Yankees legends, voiced their concerns about the current state of the team, highlighting a troubling trend of mistakes that they believe could prove costly against formidable opponents. They pointed out specific errors, such as Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s blunder that resulted in a lost opportunity against the Miami Marlins. Rodriguez emphasized the lack of accountability, suggesting that underperformance isn't being adequately addressed, unlike in their playing days.

In contrast, Yankees manager Aaron Boone defended his team, asserting they possess the talent necessary for success. He acknowledged that losing due to mistakes invites criticism, but he believes it's essential to focus on daily improvements. Despite the recent sweep by the Marlins and an unsettling drop in the standings, Boone insisted that working hard each day remains the team's priority.