The Minnesota Twins are set to host the Toronto Blue Jays at Target Field. Fox Sports North is in line to televise this AL matchup and the action gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Minnesota (+100) as the underdog to Toronto (-110). The total sits at nine runs and bettors can take the over for -115 or the under for -105. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds sitting at +135 for the Blue Jays -1.5 runs and -155 for the Twins +1.5.
The Blue Jays are 15-12 SU and have gone 14-12 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 0.7 units for moneyline gamblers in this young season and 2.5 units ATS. Toronto has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Twins, on the other hand, are 9-14 SU and 13-9 ATS. They’ve lost 3.6 units for moneyline bettors while earning 1.4 units ATS. Minnesota has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the over has cashed in five of those seven.
Twins games have an 11-11 over/under record so far in 2018. Blue Jays games have gone over 12 times, gone under 12 times and pushed on two occasions.
Right-hander Aaron Sanchez will get the nod for the visiting Blue Jays. Sanchez is 1-2 with a 3.69 ERA and 23 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Twins this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Twins are putting the ball in the hands of righty Lance Lynn (0-2, 7.71 ERA), who has 22 punchouts and 18 walks, as well as a 2.04 WHIP. Lynn did not record a start against the Blue Jays in 2017.
Minnesota’s pitchers have given up 5.5 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. The club’s starters have a 4.53 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 6.25 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 9.4 K/9.
The Minnesota offense is putting up 4.0 runs per outing, including 3.9 per game over its last 10 games and 4.2 per game over its last five. The team has hit .274/.355/.463 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that span.
Shortstop Eduardo Escobar and first baseman Joe Mauer have led the Twins’ hitters this year. Escobar is slashing .308/.356/.564 with three home runs, 12 RBIs and 11 runs scored, and Mauer is batting .293 with 22 hits, seven RBIs and 11 runs.
In the other dugout, Toronto’s pitching staff allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.26 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 9.04 K/9. The bullpen has an outstanding ERA of just 2.26, along with a WHIP of 1.40.
The Blue Jays offense has slashed .231/.317/.422 on its way to 5.3 runs scored per game this season, including 3.9 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Toronto’s hitters have been led by outfielders Kevin Pillar and Teoscar Hernandez. Pillar is hitting .310/.358/.560 with four home runs, 14 RBIs and 19 runs scored, while Hernandez (.316/.391/.702) has produced four homers, 11 RBIs and 12 runs scored.
Hernandez didn’t perform especially well against righties on the road last season, maintaining a slash line of .231/.333/.500 across 30 such plate appearances (compared to his total season line of .271/.315/.624).
The Blue Jays have gained 2.5 units and are 7-8 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in six of those games, compared to eight that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Twins have lost 3.1 units and are 10-7 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in nine of those games, as opposed to eight that’ve gone under.
Toronto Blue Jays at Minnesota Twins Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Twins, ATS Winner – Twins, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Notes
The Blue Jays have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games, including nine over their last five.
Minnesota has recorded 20.7 runs + hits + errors per game over its last 10 outings and 23.4 over its last five.
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