The Minnesota Twins will head south to play the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Fox Sports North is in line to showcase this AL matchup. The opening pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET.
Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros Odds
Houston (-225) is the favorite over Minnesota (+205) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this game at 8.5 runs. The odds for wagering on the game’s total stand at +100 for the over and -120 for the under. The game’s runline odds stand at -105 for betting the Twins +1.5 runs and -115 for the Astros -1.5.
The Astros are 84-53 straight up (SU) and 68-68 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 13.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 6.3 units (ATS). Houston has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven. On the other hand, the Twins are 63-73 SU and have gone 70-65 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 10.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline, but have gained 1.1 units ATS. Minnesota has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Houston games have an over/under record of 60-69-7 in 2018. Minnesota has an over/under record of 65-67-3.
Kyle Gibson will get the nod for Minnesota. The right-handed Gibson (7-11, 3.79 ERA) has racked up 153 strikeouts in 164 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with four strikeouts and a 10.38 ERA against Houston this year.
The Astros are putting the ball in the left hand of Dallas Keuchel (10-10, 3.58 ERA), who’s got 130 strikeouts and 44 walks as well as a 1.26 WHIP. Keuchel is 0-1 with six strikeouts and a 6.75 ERA in one start against Minnesota this year.
Minnesota’s pitchers have allowed 4.9 runs per game and its starters own a 4.60 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 8.27 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.61, along with a K/9 of 9.22.
Twins hitters have slashed .245/.316/.406 on their way to 4.4 runs scored per game this year, including 3.7 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Minnesota’s hitters have been paced by left fielder Eddie Rosario and first baseman Joe Mauer. Rosario is slashing .292/.329/.484 with 22 home runs, 74 RBIs and 83 runs scored, while Mauer has a .278 average with five homers, 39 RBIs and 49 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Houston’s pitchers have given up 3.3 runs per game overall this season. Its starting pitching staff has a 3.20 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 2.97, a WHIP of 1.04 and a K/9 of 10.7.
Houston’s offense is putting up 4.9 runs per outing, including 5.2 per game over its last 10 games and 3.6 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .231/.326/.372 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Astros’ offense has been led by third baseman Alex Bregman and second baseman Jose Altuve. Bregman is slashing .292/.392/.537 with 27 home runs, 88 RBIs and 92 runs scored, while Altuve’s line is .321/.385/.455 with 10 homers, 51 RBIs, 69 runs and 15 stolen bases.
The Twins have lost 4.2 units and are 20-18 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 16 of those games, as opposed to 21 that’ve gone under against lefty starters. On the other hand, the Astros have lost 3.3 units and are 43-41 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 36 of those games, compared to 43 that’ve gone under.
Minnesota Twins at Houston Astros Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Twins, O/U – UNDER
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Notes
Betting Trends
The over has hit in three of Minnesota’s last seven games.
The Twins have dropped three of their last four games SU.
Minnesota fielders have 13 errors over the last 10 games, compared to two errors for Houston over its last 10.
The Twins have hit 14 home runs in their last 10 games, including eight over their last five.
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