The Houston Astros are set to do battle against the Minnesota Twins at Minute Maid Park. Fox Sports North will be airing this AL showdown and the action gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET.
Minnesota Twins at Houston Astros Odds
The Astros are 14-9 straight up (SU) and 9-13 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 1.8 units for moneyline bettors and 4.7 units ATS. The Twins have gone 13-8 SU this year and are 10-10 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 6.6 units for moneyline bettors in the season’s early going, but have lost 0.1 units ATS.
Astros games have an over/under record of 9-13 so far in 2019. Minnesota has an over/under record of 12-8.
Kohl Stewart is getting the nod for the Twinkies. The right-handed Stewart has yet to pitch in the majors this season.
The Astros are turning to righty Justin Verlander (3-0, 3.00 ERA), who’s got 38 strikeouts and nine walks, along with a WHIP of 1.00. Verlander made two starts against the Twins in 2018, posting a spotless 2-0 record with a 0.64 ERA and 17 strikeouts.
Houston’s pitchers have given up 4.0 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has a 4.22 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 3.00, a WHIP of 1.00 and a K/9 of 9.9.
Houston’s offense has produced 4.9 runs per contest, including 6.2 per game over its last 10 games and 7.2 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .311/.386/.600 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Astros’ offense has been led by Michael Brantley, who is hitting .303/.357/.494 with four home runs, 16 RBIs and 12 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Minnesota’s pitchers have allowed 4.9 runs per game and its starters own a 4.47 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 8.07 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.79, along with a K-per-9 of 9.08.
Twins hitters have slashed .272/.341/.503 on their way to 5.7 runs scored per game in 2019, including 6.1 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 7.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Jorge Polanco has led Minnesota’s offense and is slashing .372/.432/.679 with 29 hits, nine RBIs and 14 runs scored.
The Astros just took the previous game in this series by a final tally of 10 runs to four.
Twins vs. Astros Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Twins, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in just two of Minnesota’s last seven games.
- The Twins have hit 22 home runs in their last 10 games, including 14 over their last five.
- The Twins have an OPS of .844 this season and an OPS of .851 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Astros’ OPS sits at .848 overall and .801 versus righties.
- Minnesota has posted 25.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 29.8 over its last five.
