The Houston Astros are ready to take on the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Fox Sports North will broadcast this AL showdown and the game is scheduled to get underway at 8:10 p.m. ET.
Houston Astros vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Minnesota (+125) as the underdog to Houston (-135). Bettors are able to gamble on the game’s total with odds listed at -105 for over 8 runs and -115 for under 8. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds standing at Astros -1.5 runs (+110) and Twins 1.5 runs (-130).
The Twins are 4-4 SU and 6-1 ATS. The team’s gained 0.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 5.3 units against the spread (ATS). The Astros are 9-2 SU and have gone 6-4 ATS. Overall, the team’s gained 3.5 units for moneyline bettors this year and 1.1 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in five of those seven.
Minnesota games have a 3-4 over/under record so far in 2018. Houston has an over/under record of 3-7.
The Astros have gained 0.5 units and are 3-4 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in one of those games, compared to six that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Twins have netted 1.1 units and are 1-0 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in zero of those games, as opposed to one that’ve gone under.
Dallas Keuchel (0-1, 3.27 ERA) will get the nod for the visiting Astros. The southpaw Keuchel started 23 games last year while finishing the season 14-5 overall with a 2.90 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP.
The Twinkies have tabbed righty Jake Odorizzi (0-0, 2.61 ERA) as their starter. Odorizzi started 28 games last year and finished the season 10-8 overall with a 4.14 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP.
Minnesota’s pitchers have given up 3.5 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 2.91, a WHIP of 1.18 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.9. The bullpen has a 4.08 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 9.7 K/9.
The Minnesota offense has produced 4.3 runs per outing, including 3.8 per game over its last five. The team has hit .232/.303/.411 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Twins’ offense has been led by second baseman Brian Dozier and first baseman Joe Mauer. Dozier is hitting .286/.342/.657 with 10 hits, four RBIs and eight runs scored, and Mauer’s line is .375/.500/.542 with nine hits, one RBI and four runs.
Compared to his total season slash line of .271/.359/.498, Dozier seemed to enjoy hitting lefty pitching at home last year, slashing .369/.481/.800 over 79 such plate appearances.
In the other dugout, Houston’s pitching staff allowed 2.3 runs per game and its starters own a 1.64 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 11.18 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 2.18, along with a K/9 of 9.27.
Astros hitters have slashed .247/.333/.397 on their way to 4.5 runs scored per game in 2018, including over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Left fielder Josh Reddick and shortstop Carlos Correa have led Houston’s hitters. Reddick is slashing .346/.452/.692 with nine hits, seven RBIs and six runs scored, while Correa has a .333 average with 11 hits, two homers, nine RBIs and nine runs scored.
Houston Astros vs. Minnesota Twins Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The Twins went 1-5 SU against the Astros in 2017.
- The Astros have won eight of their last nine games SU.
- The Astros’ bullpen posted 3.63 ERA against the Twins last year.
