The Minnesota Twins will try to avoid losing their fourth consecutive game they play host to the Toronto Blue Jays at Target Field. Fox Sports North will be airing this AL matchup and the game is slated to get going at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Both teams have matching -105 moneyline odds and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this game at 9.5 runs (+100 for the over and -120 for the under). The games current runline odds sit at +140 for taking the Blue Jays -1.5 runs and -160 for the Twins +1.5.
The Blue Jays have gone 17-12 SU this year and are 16-12 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 2.7 units for moneyline bettors in this young season and 4.5 units ATS. Toronto has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Twins, on the other hand, are 9-16 SU and 13-11 ATS. The teams lost 6.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 0.6 units ATS. Minnesota has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the over has cashed in five of those seven.
Minnesota games have had an over/under record of 13-11 thus far in 2018. The Blue Jays have an over/under record of 13-12-3.
Marcus Stroman is getting the start for Toronto. The right-handed Stroman is 0-3 with an 8.88 ERA and 25 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Twins this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Twins are handing the ball to righty Fernando Romero (0-0, ERA), who has zero strikeouts and zero walks to his name, as well as a WHIP. Romero did not pitch in the majors in 2017.
As a unit, Minnesota’s pitching staff has allowed 5.6 runs per game overall this season. The teams starters have an ERA of 4.73, a WHIP of 1.40 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.0. The bullpen has a 6.13 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 9.3 K/9.
Minnesota’s hitters are putting up 4.1 runs per contest, including 4.0 per game over its last 10 games and 4.6 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .270/.337/.483 over its last five contests and is 1-4 SU during that span.
Right fielder Max Kepler and shortstop Eduardo Escobar have led the Twins offense this year. Kepler is hitting .300/.364/.556 with four home runs, 10 RBIs and 10 runs scored, and Escobar is hitting .299 with four homers, 14 RBIs and 13 runs.
Kepler performed well against right-handed pitchers at home last year, slashing .297/.367/.528 over 218 such plate appearances (his overall season line was .243/.312/.425).
In the visiting dugout, Toronto’s pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.34 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 8.71 K/9. The bullpen has managed an outstanding ERA of just 2.16, along with a WHIP of 1.41.
The Blue Jays offense has slashed .233/.322/.427 on its way to 5.4 runs scored per game this year, including 4.2 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 5.8 per game over the teams last five outings (3-2 SU).
Outfielders Kevin Pillar and Teoscar Hernandez have led Toronto’s offense. Pillar is hitting .315/.361/.574 with four home runs, 15 RBIs, 21 runs and five steals, while Hernandez is hitting .294/.360/.632 with four homers, 11 RBIs and 13 runs scored.
Hernandez taken a step back when hitting righty pitching on the road last season. Over 30 such plate appearances, he maintained a slash line of .231/.333/.500 (his total season line was .271/.315/.624).
The Blue Jays have gained 3.5 units and are 8-8 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in seven of those games, compared to eight that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Twins have lost 6.2 units and are 10-9 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 11 of those games, compared to eight which went under the total.
Toronto Blue Jays at Minnesota Twins Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Twins, ATS Winner – Twins, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Blue Jays have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games, including 10 over their last five.
- Minnesota has averaged 21.2 runs + hits + errors over its last 10 contests and 23.8 over its last five.
- The Twins have lost 11 of their last 12 games SU.
