[G-men]

Dominic Fazzini

Sunday's play

20 Dime -- TWINS (Baker) over Rangers (Millwood)

TWINS
NOTE: List only Baker as Minnesota's starting pitcher

Scott Baker (12-7, 4.47 ERA) easily has been the Twins' top starter over the past two months.

The right-hander is 10-1 since June 1, and has gone 6-0 with a 3.10 ERA over his last nine outings, with wins in his last three starts. He allowed one run and four hits in seven innings Monday in a 2-1 victory over Baltimore.

Baker also is 2-0 in two outings against the Rangers this season, giving up five runs and 15 hits while striking out 14 in 13 1/3 innings.

Texas starter Kevin Millwood (10-8, 3.63) has faded after a very strong first half of the season. He got his first win since July 20 on Tuesday despite giving up five runs on seven hits and five walks in 5 2/3 innings at Yankee Stadium.

Millwood has just two wins in his last nine starts, and he is 3-6 with a 4.56 ERA in 12 road starts this year.

The veteran right-hander allowed five runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings in a 5-4 loss to Minnesota on Aug. 19. That dropped Millwood's career record against the Twins to 0-7 with a 6.18 ERA in 11 starts.

With Millwood's miserable track record against Minnesota, and Baker's sharp performances over the past couple of months, I don't see Texas having much of a chance in this one. Take the Twins today.