In the third of a four-game series between the Minnesota Twins (46-67) and the Houston Astros (58-55) at Target Field, Ervin Santana (5-9, 3.62 ERA) and Dallas Keuchel (7-11, 4.56 ERA) get the start. The Astros won the last game 7-5, and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 10 and will air on RTSW and FSN.
In his most recent outing, Santana pitched 6.1 innings, allowing two runs and striking out eight in a 6-2 victory over the Rays. Max Kepler (.259, 39 Rs, 15 HRs, 49 RBIs, 4 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 5. The Astros were victorious over the Rangers 5-0 the last time Keuchel pitched. He went 9.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out seven and walking two. Jose Altuve (.361, 82 Rs, 19 HRs, 68 RBIs, 26 SBs) has been hitting the ball well for the Astros, going 4 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one RBI, and one stolen base.
Minnesota, a +131 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Houston. The matchup currently has an eight-run Over/Under (O/U). The Twins are 36-52 as the underdog and have an overall money line of -942. They are 6-2 as the underdog over their last 10 games. The most recent 10-game stretch for the Twins has gone great. Over that span, Minnesota is averaging 6.6 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.6. The Twins rank fourth in the majors in extra base hits with 374.
Moving on to the opposing team, the Astros come into this game with a win percentage of .500 when playing as the favorite (41-41) and an overall money line of -1,174. Over the past 10 matchups, the team is 2-8 SU and has played poorly as the favorite with a 2-5 record. During the last 10 games, they averaged 1.8 runs per game, below their 4.3 season average. Houston is a terror on the base paths, ranking fifth in the MLB with 82 stolen bases. Houston’s pitching staff and defense as a whole have been firing on all cylinders so far, averaging an AL-best 4.0 runs allowed per game. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in the AL with an average of 8.7 strikeouts per game.
In their previous five games this season, the Astros have a 3-2 record. This game will feature Keuchel (LHP) on the mound against the Twins, who have a 15-15 record when they take on a left-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Astros will be the right-hander Santana. They sport a 42-35 record against righties.
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 13th 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 8.25 per game. Minnesota ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 8.91.
Ranking 19th, 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.
