Nick Martinez (5-2, 2.65 ERA) takes the mound for the Texas Rangers (33-29) as they meet Phil Hughes (4-6, 4.81 ERA) and the Minnesota Twins (33-28) in the last of a three-game series at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Twins lost the last game 11-7, extending a five-game losing streak. The game gets underway at 3:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jun. 14 and will air on FSN-N and FSN-SW.
In his most recent outing, Martinez pitched 6.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out three and walking three in a 2-1 victory over the Athletics. Prince Fielder (.347, 30 Rs, 10 HRs, 43 RBIs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run and one RBI. In his pitching opportunities against the Rangers, Hughes is 2-3 with a 2.72 ERA, 30 strikeouts and nine walks. Brian Dozier (.262, 50 Rs, 12 HRs, 30 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
Texas is favored by a small -115 margin in its matchup against Minnesota. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at nine runs. When playing as the favorite, the Rangers have a 4-3 record and overall money line at +1,334. They have SU record of 6-4 and are unbeaten as the favorite (2-0) over their last 10 games. The Rangers rank fourth in the AL in hits at home with 9.1 per game.
Switching gears, the Twins come into this game with a win percentage of .562 when playing as the underdog (27-21) and an overall money line of +1,264. During the last 10 games, they averaged 2.7 runs per game, below their 4.2 season average. Shifting to the pitching staff, they allow just 2.3 walks per game, good for tops in the AL.
So far this season, the Rangers are 2-0 against the Twins. The Rangers will take on a right-hander (Hughes) in this game and have a 22-17 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Twins will be the right-hander Martinez. They sport an 18-18 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – TEX, O/U – Over
Notes
When the Twins play into extra innings, they have a 3-1 record. The Rangers are 3-2 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Twins managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Rangers who are heading in with an 8-4 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Rangers are 5-24. The Twins have a 6-25 record when opponents outhit them.
Minnesota ranks near the bottom of the league at 25th when it comes to home runs, hitting 47 this season. Texas ranks in the top half at 11th with 64.
Texas and Minnesota both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Texas sits at eighth with 8.49 hits per game and Minnesota ranks 10th with 8.28.
Ranking 26th, Minnesota is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.677). Texas ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .724.
The Twins are 18-22 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Rangers are 15-24 when they allow at least one homer.
