Jose Berrios (2-2, 8.31 ERA) and Doug Fister (10-7, 3.47 ERA) start in the third of a four-game series between the Minnesota Twins (46-67) and the Houston Astros (58-55) at Target Field. The Astros won the last game 7-5, and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 1:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 11 and can be seen on RTSW.
Berrios pitched 5.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering four runs, striking out four and walking one in a 7-3 defeat to the Rays. Max Kepler (.259, 39 Rs, 15 HRs, 49 RBIs, 4 SBs) had another good game Tuesday, going 2 for 5. Fister went 6.0 innings, surrendering one run, striking out two and walking two in a 3-2 defeat to the Rangers in his most recent start. Jose Altuve (.361, 82 Rs, 19 HRs, 68 RBIs, 26 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Astros, going 4 for 4 Tuesday with two runs, one RBI, and one stolen base.
Houston takes on Minnesota as a -128 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at nine runs. The Twins have an overall money line of -1,042 and a record as the underdog of 36-53. The Twins have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 6.6 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.6 runs per game. The Twins are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 374.
In games where it is the favorite, Houston has a 42-41 record and an overall money line of -1,074. Offensively, the Astros have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 4.3 runs per game by averaging 2.3 during that stretch. Shifting to the pitching staff and defense, the Astros allow just 4.0 runs per game, ranking them first in the AL. The Astros have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 8.7 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Astros lead the season series, 3-2. The Twins have a bad 15-27 record at home (31-52 overall) against right-handed starting pitchers, which is what they’ll be facing when Fister takes the mound. Berrios (RHP) will be on the hill against the Astros, who have a 42-35 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
The Twins are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Astros have an 11-28 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 8-55. The Astros have a 9-49 record when opponents outhit them.
Minnesota and Houston both rank in the top half of the league in home runs. Minnesota sits at 14th with 136 home runs this season and Houston ranks 15th with 135.
Ranking 14th, Houston is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.28 per game. Minnesota ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 8.91.
Ranking 18th, Houston is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.729). Minnesota ranks in the top half at 11th with an OPS of .754.
When the Astros allow at least one home run, they are 36-34. When the Twins allow one or more homers, they have a 33-55 record.
