Mike Pelfrey (5-2, 2.28 ERA) takes the mound for the Minnesota Twins (33-27) as they go up against Colby Lewis (5-3, 4.42 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (32-29) in the second of a three-game series at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers won the last game 6-2 and Texas leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 4:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jun. 13 and will air on FSN-N and FSN-SW.
Lewis is 0-5 with a 7.28 ERA and 1.62 WHIP against the Twins in his career. Prince Fielder (.346, 29 Rs, 10 HRs, 42 RBIs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with two runs. In his career against the Rangers, Pelfrey is 0-1 with a 3.46 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts. Brian Dozier (.262, 49 Rs, 12 HRs, 29 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and one RBI.
Texas is a -120 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is nine runs. The Rangers are 3-3 as the favorite and have an overall money line of +1,234. They have SU record of 6-4 and are unbeaten as the favorite (1-0) over their last 10 games. The Rangers rank second in the AL in hits at home with 9.2 per game.
Across the field, the Twins have a record of 27-20 when they are the underdog and are +1,364 overall with the money line. During the last 10 games, they averaged 2.5 runs per game, below their 4.2 season average. Switching gears to Minnesota’s pitching staff, they allow just 2.3 walks per game, best in the AL.
So far this season, the Rangers are 1-0 against the Twins. This game will feature Pelfrey (RHP) on the mound against the Rangers, who have a 22-17 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Twins will be the right-hander Lewis. They sport an 18-18 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – TEX, O/U – Over
Notes
The Twins are 3-1 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Rangers are 3-2 in such matchups.
After a weak showing last week where they got in five hits, the Twins need to step it up. The Rangers have a record of 10-1 when opponents get five hits or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rangers are 24-3. The Twins have a 22-0 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 15th in runs, Minnesota has earned 252 this season. Texas ranks third with 275 runs.
Ranking 22nd, Minnesota is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 145 this season. Texas ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 190.
When the Rangers hit at least one home run, they are 24-12, well-matched with the Twins who are 25-10 when hitting one or more homers.
