In the second of a four-game series between the Minnesota Twins (14-12) and the Oakland Athletics (14-12) at Target Field, Trevor May (2-1, 4.43 ERA) and Jesse Chavez (0-2, 2.55 ERA) get the start. The Twins won the last game 8-7, extending a five-game winning streak. The game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May. 5 and will air on CSN-CA and FSN-N.
In his most recent outing, May pitched 5.2 innings, allowing two runs, striking out four and walking one in a 12-2 victory over the White Sox. Brian Dozier (.248, 18 Rs, 2 HRs, 13 RBIs, 2 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 5 with two RBIs. In his career against the Twins, Chavez is 0-0 with a 4.70 ERA. He meets a strong Minnesota offense that’s batting .260. Stephen Vogt (.372, 15 Rs, 7 HRs, 25 RBIs) has been doing well offensively for the Athletics, going 3 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, and five RBIs.
Minnesota is favored by a slight -106 margin in its matchup against Oakland. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at eight runs. When playing as the favorite, the Twins have a 2-2 record and overall money line at +372. Over their past 10 games, Minnesota’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 5.7 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.2.
On the other side, the Athletics have a record of 5-4 when they are the underdog and are -681 overall with the money line. Over the last 10 games, they were winless as the underdog with a 0-1 record and 3-7 SU. Oakland is one of the top road hitting teams in the AL with an average of 9.2 hits per contest. Opposing pitchers have routinely struggled to strike out the Oakland batters, who rank second in the AL with 6.3 strikeouts per game.
The only other game between the two teams went Minnesota’s way. The Twins will take on a right-hander (Chavez) in this game and have a 6-7 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed May will take the mound against the Athletics, who have a 10-11 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – OAK, O/U – Over
Notes
Minnesota has won 17% (1-5) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Oakland has won 31% (5-11) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Twins are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Athletics have a 5-6 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 2-11. The Athletics have a 2-10 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 23rd in home runs, Minnesota has hit 17 this season. Oakland ranks 11th with 25 home runs.
Minnesota and Oakland both rank in the top five of the league in hits. Minnesota sits at fifth with 8.76 hits per game and Oakland ranks third with 9.31.
Ranking 19th, Minnesota is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.687). Oakland ranks in the top 10 at eighth with an OPS of .741.
The Athletics are 2-11 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Twins are 6-10 when they allow at least one homer.
