The Houston Astros are heading north to take on the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. This AL matchup will begin at 7:40 p.m. ET and fans looking to watch it can tune in to Fox Sports North.
Houston Astros vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Minnesota (+150) as the underdog to Houston (-160). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -115 for over eight runs and -105 for under eight. The game’s most recent runline odds sit at -110 for picking the Astros -1.5 runs and -110 for the Twins +1.5.
The Twins are 16-9 straight up (SU) and 12-12 against the spread (ATS). The team has gained 6.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 0.8 units ATS. Minnesota has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Astros have gone 17-11 SU this year and are 11-16 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 1.5 units for moneyline bettors in the season’s early going and 5.3 units ATS. Houston’s covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Minnesota games have a 14-10 over/under record so far in 2019. Houston has an over/under record of 11-16.
Justin Verlander will get the start for the visiting Astros. The right-handed Verlander is 4-0 with a 2.61 ERA and 46 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with eight strikeouts and a 1.13 ERA against Minnesota this year.
The Twins are turning to righty Jake Odorizzi (2-2, 4.37 ERA), who has 23 strikeouts and 10 walks, in addition to a 1.24 WHIP. Odorizzi is 1-0 with two strikeouts and a 3.18 ERA in one start against Houston this year.
As a unit, Minnesota’s pitching staff has yielded 4.5 runs per game overall in 2019. The team’s starters have a 4.25 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.43 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 9.6 K/9.
The Minnesota hitters are putting up 5.6 runs per outing, including 6.3 per game over its last 10 games and 4.8 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .222/.280/.519 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Twins’ batters have been led by shortstop Jorge Polanco and outfielder Eddie Rosario. Polanco is slashing .337/.390/.632 with five home runs, 10 RBIs and 15 runs scored, and Rosario’s line sits at .255/.305/.643 with 11 homers, 24 RBIs and 20 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.7 runs per game and its starters own a 3.83 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 9.70 K/9. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 3.05, along with a K/9 of 9.80.
The Astros offense has slashed .271/.351/.474 on its way to 4.7 runs scored per game in 2019, including 5.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Houston’s hitters have been paced by outfielders Michael Brantley and George Springer. Brantley is slashing .312/.361/.505 with five home runs, 18 RBIs and 15 runs scored, while Springer is hitting .270/.359/.541 with eight homers, 22 RBIs and 19 runs scored.
The Astros have lost 5.3 units and are 7-13 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in nine of those games, compared to 11 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Twins have netted 7.6 units and are 12-11 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 13 of those games, compared to 10 that went under the total.
Astros at Twins Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Houston has logged 14 extra-base hits over its last five games. Minnesota has 20 XBH over its last five.
- The Astros have a total OPS of .825 this season and an OPS of .788 against right-handed pitchers. The Twins’ OPS sits at .847 overall and .846 against righties.
- Minnesota has posted 24.9 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 19.2 over its last five.
- The Astros have hit 19 home runs in their last 10 games. The Twins have hit 29 over their last 10.
