The Texas Rangers will face off against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Fox Sports North will broadcast this AL showdown and the action gets underway at 2:10 p.m. ET.
Texas Rangers vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Minnesota (-135) as the favorite over Texas (+125). The total is sitting at 9.5 runs and gamblers can take the over or the under for -110. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the current odds sitting at -170 for the Rangers +1.5 runs and +150 for the Twins -1.5.
The Twins are 41-30 against the spread (ATS), but only 33-39 straight up (SU). The team’s lost 5.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 9.1 units (ATS). Minnesota has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total went over in four of those seven. The Rangers have gone 33-44 SU this year and are 35-41 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 2.3 units for moneyline bettors and 11.9 units ATS. Texas has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven.
Twins games have a 33-36-2 over/under record thus far in 2018. The Rangers have an over/under record of 34-37-5.
Right-hander Yovani Gallardo is projected to start for the visiting Rangers. Gallardo is 0-0 with a 15.95 ERA and six strikeouts. He has yet to face Minnesota this year, but he did make two starts against the Twins in 2017, putting together a 1-0 record against them with a 5.54 ERA and 11 strikeouts.
The Twins are sending righty Jake Odorizzi (3-4, 4.38 ERA) to the mound. Odorizzi has 77 punchouts and 35 walks to his name, as well as a 1.41 WHIP. Odorizzi only made one start against the Rangers in 2017 (0-0, 6.75 ERA and five strikeouts across four innings).
Texas’ pitchers have allowed 5.2 runs per game and its starters own a 5.40 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 6.69 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.69, along with a K/9 of 8.20.
The Rangers offense has slashed .233/.321/.392 on its way to 4.4 runs scored per game this year, including 5.8 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (5-0 SU).
Texas’ offensive production has been powered by Shin-soo Choo and Nomar Mazara. Choo is hitting .280/.391/.479 with 14 home runs, 35 RBIs and 47 runs scored, while Mazara has a .279 average with 14 homers, 49 RBIs and 42 runs scored.
For the home team, Minnesota’s pitching staff has given up 4.4 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.10, a WHIP of 1.31 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.7. The bullpen has a 4.27 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 9.0 K/9.
Minnesota’s hitters have produced 4.2 runs per outing, including 3.8 per game over its last 10 games and 2.8 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .199/.267/.338 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Twins’ hitters have been led by left fielder Eddie Rosario and shortstop Eduardo Escobar. Rosario is slashing .316/.355/.571 with 16 home runs, 46 RBIs, 52 runs and six stolen bases, and Escobar’s line sits at .298/.350/.573 with 12 homers, 48 RBIs and 35 runs scored.
The Rangers have lost 0.1 units and are 24-28 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 21 of those games, compared to 29 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Twins have lost 3.4 units and are 29-22 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 26 of those games, as opposed to 23 which went under the total.
Texas Rangers at Minnesota Twins MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Twins, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – UNDER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The under has hit in five of Texas’ last seven games.
Minnesota has recorded 17.0 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 14.8 over its last five.
The Rangers have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
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