The Minnesota Twins will do battle against the Toronto Blue Jays at Target Field. Fox Sports North is in line to broadcast this AL matchup and the first pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Vegas is listing Toronto (+115) as the underdog to Minnesota (-125). If you think this game’s total will go under 8.5 runs, Vegas is currently offering -105 odds. Playing the over will return -115 odds. The game’s most recent runline odds sit at -180 for betting the Blue Jays +1.5 runs and +160 for the Twins -1.5.
The Twins are 8-4 straight up (SU) and 6-5 against the spread (ATS). The team has gained 4.7 units for moneyline bettors and 0.9 units ATS. Minnesota has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. On the other hand, the Blue Jays have gone 5-11 SU this year and are 7-8 against the spread. In total, the team’s lost 5.3 units for moneyline gamblers in this young season and 0.2 units ATS. Toronto has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven.
Minnesota games have had an over/under record of 6-5 so far in 2019. Blue Jays games have gone under 10 times, gone over five times and pushed on zero occasions.
Right-hander Matt Shoemaker is the probable starter for the visiting Blue Jays. Shoemaker is 3-0 with a 0.92 ERA and 19 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Twins this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Twins are handing the ball to lefty Martin Perez (1-0, 7.56 ERA), who has 12 strikeouts and nine walks, along with a 2.40 WHIP. Perez only made one start against the Blue Jays in 2018 (0-1, 9.00 ERA and two strikeouts across four innings).
As a unit, Minnesota’s pitchers have allowed 4.4 runs per game overall this season. The team’s starters have an ERA of 4.00, a WHIP of 1.06 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.4. The bullpen has a 4.60 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 9.4 K/9.
Minnesota’s hitters have put up 5.4 runs per outing, including 6.2 per game over its last 10 games and 6.2 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .304/.350/.561 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Shortstop Jorge Polanco and right fielder Max Kepler have led the charge for the Twins’ batters so far. Polanco is slashing .383/.423/.702 with 18 hits, four RBIs and six runs scored, and Kepler is batting .269 with 14 hits, eight RBIs and six runs scored.
For the visiting squad, Toronto’s pitchers have allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 2.72 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 9.47 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.35, along with a K-per-9 of 11.10.
Blue Jays hitters have slashed .203/.284/.347 on their way to 3.5 runs scored per game this season, including 3.8 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Toronto’s hitters have been paced by Freddy Galvis and Randal Grichuk. Galvis is slashing .351/.383/.684 with five home runs, 11 RBIs and eight runs scored. Grichuk is hitting .193/.270/.421 with three homers, six RBIs and 10 runs scored.
The Blue Jays have gained 3.6 units and are 3-1 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in one of those games, compared to three that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Twins have netted 4.7 units and are 6-5 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in six of those games, compared to five that went under.
Blue Jays vs. Twins Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Twins, ATS Winner – Blue Jays, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Toronto has logged 15 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Minnesota has 22 XBH over its last five.
- The Blue Jays have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.
- The Blue Jays have a team OPS of .631 this season, including an OPS of .538 against left-handed pitchers. The Twins’ OPS stands at .835 overall and .966 against southpaws.
- Minnesota has recorded 27.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 27.0 over its last five.
