Ervin Santana (2-3, 5.40 ERA) and Chi Chi Gonzalez (2-4, 3.74 ERA) start in the last of a three-game series between the Minnesota Twins (57-56) and the Texas Rangers (55-57) at Target Field. The Twins won the last game 11-1 and Minnesota leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 1:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 13 and can be seen on FSSW.
Santana pitched 2.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering eight runs, striking out one and walking two in a 17-4 defeat to the Indians. Brian Dozier (.248, 80 Rs, 24 HRs, 59 RBIs, 9 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 4 with two runs and one RBI. Gonzalez went 1.2 innings, surrendering six runs, striking out one and walking two in an 8-2 defeat to the Angels in his most recent start. Prince Fielder (.327, 55 Rs, 17 HRs, 67 RBIs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one RBI.
Minnesota is a -130 favorite against Texas and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at nine runs. The Twins have an overall money line of +1,060 and a record as the favorite of 13-9. Minnesota is unbeaten as the favorite and has a 3-7 SU record in its last ten outings. Minnesota’s batters do not strike out very often at home, with only 6.8 per game. Minnesota’s pitching staff has been doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 6.8 runs per game, well above its season average of 4.5. The Twins are the top team in the AL at limiting walks to their opponents, allowing only 2.5 walks per game so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Texas has a 47-44 record and an overall money line of +1,484. Offensively, they average 4.5 runs per game, which is good for third in the AL.
The Twins lead the season series, 3-2. Santana (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rangers, who have a 36-34 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Min, O/U – Over
Notes
Minnesota won its last game in a shutout, its ninth of the season. Texas has been shut out six times this season.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Twins are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Rangers have a 5-1 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 10-49. The Rangers have a 10-43 record when opponents outhit them.
Minnesota ranks in the bottom half of the league at 16th when it comes to home runs, hitting 99 this season. Texas ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 114.
Ranking 12th, Minnesota is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.24 per game. Texas ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 8.75.
Ranking 18th, Minnesota is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.699). Texas ranks in the top half at 11th with an OPS of .728.
The Rangers are 29-43 when they allow at least one home run. The Twins perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 32-44 record.
