Michael Brantley and the Houston Astros will be taking the field against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in a Wednesday night game. This AL matchup can be viewed across the country on ESPN and the opening pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.
Houston Astros vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Bookmakers have Minnesota (+135) as the underdog to Houston (-145). You can play matchup’s total with current odds listed at -125 for over 8.5 runs and +105 for under 8.5. This game currently has a runline of Astros -1.5 (+100) and Twins +1.5 (-120).
The Astros have gone 18-12 SU this year and are 12-17 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 2.1 units for gamblers taking the moneyline in this young season and 5.4 units ATS. Houston is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Twins, on the other hand, are 17-10 SU and 14-12 ATS. The team’s gained 9.2 units for moneyline bettors and 1.3 units ATS. Minnesota has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Minnesota games have an over/under record of 14-12 so far in 2019. Houston has been a decent under bet with a total record of 11-18.
Right-hander Collin McHugh will get the nod for the visiting Astros. McHugh (3-2, 4.78 ERA) has recorded 37 punchouts in 32 innings so far. He has yet to face the Twins this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Twins are putting the ball in the left hand of Martin Perez (3-0, 4.44 ERA, 1.59 WHIP), who’s got 23 punchouts and 12 walks this season. Perez did not register a start against the Astros in 2018.
Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.5 runs per game and its starters own a 3.59 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 9.91 K/9. The bullpen has managed a solid ERA of just 2.91, along with a WHIP of 1.02.
The Astros offense has slashed .271/.351/.473 on its way to 4.8 runs scored per game this season, including 5.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Outfielders Michael Brantley and George Springer have led Houston’s hitters. Brantley is slashing .331/.380/.517 with five home runs, 18 RBIs and 17 runs scored. Springer (.274/.363/.564) has produced nine homers, 24 RBIs and 21 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Minnesota’s pitchers have given up 4.6 runs per game overall in 2019. The team’s starters have a 4.21 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.63 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 9.8 K/9.
Minnesota’s offense is putting up 5.2 runs per outing, including 5.4 per game over its last 10 games and 4.0 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .209/.292/.503 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
The Twins’ offense has been led by shortstop Jorge Polanco and right fielder Max Kepler. Polanco is slashing .320/.389/.600 with five home runs, 10 RBIs and 15 runs scored, and Kepler’s line sits at .278/.353/.567 with seven homers, 16 RBIs and 15 runs.
The Astros have gained 3.9 units and are 4-3 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in two of those games, as opposed to five that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Twins have netted 10.2 units and are 14-11 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 13 of those games, compared to 12 that’ve gone under.
Astros at Twins Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – UNDER
Betting Trends
- The over has cashed in just two of Houston’s last seven games.
- The Astros have won three of their last four games SU.
- Houston has posted 23.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 20.8 over its last five.
- The Astros have hit 18 home runs in their last 10 games. The Twins have hit 25 over their last 10.
- The Astros have a total OPS of .823 this season and an OPS of .919 when facing left-handed pitchers. The Twins’ OPS sits at .822 overall and .833 against lefties.
