Matt Garza (3-7, 5.52 ERA) and the Milwaukee Brewers (19-36) are in Minnesota to go up against Ricky Nolasco (5-1, 5.51 ERA) and the Twins (32-22) in a matchup that has the potential for plenty of offense. This is the second of a three-game series at Target Field. The Brewers won the last game 10-5 and Milwaukee leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 2:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jun. 6 and will air on FSN-WI and FSN-N.
Nolasco has a 7.20 ERA and a 3-3 record in his career against the Brewers, but faces a less-than-stellar Milwaukee offense that’s hitting just .231 on the year. Brian Dozier (.262, 45 Rs, 10 HRs, 27 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run and one RBI. In his pitching opportunities against the Twins, Garza is 1-1 with a 1.77 ERA, 23 strikeouts and six walks. Adam Lind (.290, 21 Rs, 9 HRs, 31 RBIs) has been hitting the ball well, going 3 for 5 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and six RBIs.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Twins have an SU record of 2-0 against the National League. The Twins come into the game with the fifth-ranked scoring offense in the AL, averaging 4.5 runs per game. Transitioning to the Minnesota defense and pitching staff, teams routinely struggle to score runs against the Twins, who allow only 4.1 runs per game. The Twins are the best in the AL in walks allowed, giving up just 2.3 per game.
When playing AL opponents, the Brewers have a 3-3 record SU. Milwaukee has stepped up their play against interleague opponents averaging an impressive 4.5 runs per game compared to their 3.7 runs per game season average. The Brewers average just 7.8 strikeouts per road game, one of the lowest marks in the NL. Milwaukee’s pitching staff tends to perform well when they play competition from the AL. They’ve allowed an average of 3.8 runs per game against teams from the AL lower than their season average of 4.9.
So far this season, the Brewers are 1-0 against the Twins. This game will feature Garza (RHP) on the mound against the Twins, who have a 17-14 record when they take on a right-handed starter.
Predictions: SU Winner – MIN, O/U – Over
Notes
Milwaukee has won 33% (7-14) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Minnesota has won 53% (9-8) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Twins are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Brewers have a 6-14 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Brewers are 6-28. The Twins have a 6-21 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 23rd in home runs, Minnesota has hit 43 this season. Milwaukee ranks 12th with 54 home runs.
Ranking 15th, Milwaukee is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.76 per game. Minnesota ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 8.49.
Minnesota and Milwaukee both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Minnesota sits at 22nd with an OPS of .686 and Milwaukee ranks 28th with an OPS of .665.
When the Brewers allow at least one home run, they are 11-25. When the Twins allow one or more homers, they have an 18-16 record.
