Eric Surkamp (0-3, 6.55 ERA) and Tyler Duffey (2-3, 3.93 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Oakland Athletics (23-29) and the Minnesota Twins (15-35) at O.C. Coliseum. The Athletics won the last game 3-2, and Oakland leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 10:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May. 31 and can be seen on CSCA and FSN.
Surkamp pitched 2.2 innings in his last outing, surrendering four runs, striking out three and walking two in a 13-3 defeat to the Red Sox. Danny Valencia (.328, 21 Rs, 7 HRs, 18 RBIs) went 1 for 2 yesterday. Duffey went 6.2 innings, surrendering five runs, striking out five and walking two in a 7-5 win over the Royals in his most recent start. Eduardo Nunez (.338, 21 Rs, 5 HRs, 20 RBIs, 9 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday.
The odds for Oakland and Minnesota are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. The Athletics have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Oakland’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
Offensively, the Twins have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Twins allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span.
The Athletics have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – MIN
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Oakland is 9-13, while Minnesota is 7-12.
After a weak showing last week where they got in eight hits, the Twins need to step it up. The Athletics have a record of 20-5 when opponents get eight hits or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Twins are 9-6. The Athletics have a 17-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 28th, Minnesota sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 187 this season. Oakland ranks in the bottom half at 20th with 206.
Ranking 28th, Oakland is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 117 this season. Minnesota ranks in the bottom half at 20th with 149.
The Athletics are 18-14 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Twins are 13-20 when they hit at least one homer.
