Smooth pitching from Justin Verlander and emerging young lion Nick Lodolo carried us through yesterday’s bet to remain unbeaten on the year.

On this first Sunday of the campaign, we move to St. Louis for the finale of the season-opening three-game set between the Twins and Cardinals. The home side won the first two contests by a combined score of 8-4.

Minnesota will lean on arguably its best starting pitcher, Bailey Ober, to avoid the dreaded 0-3 start. Ober may not get as much widespread recognition as such at the moment, but he’s always displayed that potential since first arriving on the scene in 2021.

In his four major league seasons, the 6-foot-9 right-hander holds a perfectly fine 3.76 ERA, and while that might not jump off the page, his career 1.07 WHIP and .228 batting average against certainly should.

Ober is coming off his best showing in the big leagues to date when he constructed career bests across the board — wins (12), innings (178 2/3), WHIP (1.00), strikeouts (191) and BAA (.208).