Jose Berrios (2-3, 9.28 ERA) and the Minnesota Twins (49-77) go up against Daniel Norris (1-2, 3.81 ERA) and the Detroit Tigers (67-59) in the last of a three-game division series at Target Field. The Twins lost the last game 9-4, extending a six-game losing streak. The game starts at 1:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 25 and will air on FSDT.
In his most recent outing, Berrios pitched 4.0 innings, allowing four runs, striking out two and walking four in a 5-4 loss to the Royals. Brian Dozier (.270, 79 Rs, 30 HRs, 76 RBIs, 10 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4 with two runs, one home run, and one RBI. The Tigers were also unsuccessful the last time Norris pitched. He tossed 5.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out four and walking two in a 3-2 loss to the Red Sox. J.D. Martinez (.322, 53 Rs, 18 HRs, 51 RBIs, 1 SB) has been hitting the ball well for the Tigers, going 2 for 5 yesterday with two runs and one RBI.
Minnesota, a +108 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Detroit. The matchup currently has a nine-run Over/Under (O/U). The Twins have a losing record of 37-59 when playing as the underdog and an overall money line of -1,682. Over the last 10 games, they have performed poorly when playing as the underdog (1-5). Minnesota has averaged 3.9 runs per game during divisional play, lower than its season average of 4.5.
On the other side, the Tigers have a nice record of 34-16 when they are favored and are +1,226 overall with the money line. Against divisional opponents, they are 21-27 SU, but have a 14-9 record when they were the favorite. One of the top hitting teams in the AL are the Tigers, who average 9.1 hits per game. Detroit’s pitching staff tends to perform poorly when they play division rivals. They’ve allowed an average of 5.1 runs per game against teams from the AL Central, higher than their season average of 4.5.
The Tigers have gotten the best of the Twins in head-to-head matchups this season, going 9-2. This game will feature Norris (LHP) on the mound against the Twins, who have a 15-16 record when they take on a left-handed starter. The right-handed Berrios will take the mound against the Tigers, who have a 48-40 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – DET, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Detroit is 33-27, while Minnesota is 27-29.
The Tigers are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 10 strikeouts. The Twins have a record of 13-32 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 8-64. The Tigers have a 10-43 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 16th in home runs, Minnesota has hit 150 this season. Detroit ranks seventh with 166 home runs.
Ranking eighth, Minnesota is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.85 per game. Detroit ranks in the top five at third with 9.11.
Ranking 13th, Minnesota is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.746). Detroit ranks in the top 10 at eighth with an OPS of .764.
When the Tigers allow at least one home run, they are 36-42. When the Twins allow one or more homers, they have a 35-63 record.
