The Houston Astros are seeking their fourth straight victory as they play host to the Minnesota Twins at Minute Maid Park. Fox Sports North will televise this AL matchup and the game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET.
Minnesota Twins at Houston Astros Odds
The Twins are 63-74 SU and are 70-66 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 11.2 units for moneyline gamblers and 1.1 units ATS. Minnesota has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, are 85-53 SU and 69-68 ATS. They’ve lost 12.1 units for moneyline bettors and 5.3 units ATS. Houston has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Astros games have an over/under record of 60-70-7 in 2018. The Twins have an over/under record of 66-67-3.
The right-handed Trevor May will get the nod for the visiting Twinkies. May is 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA and 22 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Astros this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Astros are handing the ball to righty Justin Verlander (13-9, 2.78 ERA), who’s got 240 strikeouts and 32 walks, as well as a WHIP of 0.95. Verlander is 1-0 with nine strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in one start against Minnesota this year.
Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.3 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has a 3.18 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.94, a WHIP of 1.04 and a K/9 of 10.8.
The Houston offense has produced 4.9 runs per outing, including 4.7 per game over its last 10 games and 3.4 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .208/.274/.364 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Astros’ hitters have been led by third baseman Alex Bregman and second baseman Jose Altuve. Bregman is hitting .292/.393/.542 with 28 home runs, 89 RBIs and 93 runs scored, and Altuve is batting .321 with 10 homers, 51 RBIs, 69 runs and 15 steals.
For the visitors, Minnesota’s pitchers have allowed 4.9 runs per game and its starters own a 4.58 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 8.25 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.60, along with a K/9 of 9.20.
The Twins offense has slashed .245/.316/.405 on its way to 4.4 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.2 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
Outfielder Eddie Rosario and first baseman Joe Mauer continue to lead Minnesota’s offense. Rosario is slashing .292/.329/.484 with 22 home runs, 74 RBIs and 83 runs scored, while Mauer is hitting .279/.350/.379 with five homers, 39 RBIs and 49 runs scored.
The Twins have lost 6.0 units and are 50-47 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 49 of those games, compared to 46 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have lost 2.3 units and are 44-41 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 36 of those games, compared to 44 which went under the total.
Minnesota Twins at Houston Astros Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Twins, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
Minnesota has recorded 16 extra-base hits over its last five games. Houston has 12 XBH over its last five.
The Twins have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games, including seven over their last five.
Houston has recorded 20.9 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 16.2 over its last five.
The Twins have lost four of their last five games SU.
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