Anthony Rendon and the Washington Nationals are preparing to face off against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in a Thursday showdown. This interleague matchup will get going at 7:40 p.m. ET and Fox Sports North will televise the game.
Washington Nationals vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Bookmakers have Washington (-120) as the favorite over Minnesota (+110). If you’re thinking this game’s total is going to go under 10 runs, then bookmakers are teeing up -110 odds. Picking the over will return -110 odds. This game currently has a runline of Nationals -1.5 (+125) and Twins +1.5 (-145).
The Nationals have gone 80-64 SU this year and are 79-64 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 2.8 units for moneyline gamblers, despite having gained 10.4 units ATS. The Twins, on the other hand, are 89-56 SU and 81-63 ATS. They’ve gained 19.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 13.1 units ATS.
Minnesota games have a 73-66-5 over/under record in 2019. Washington has an over/under record of 68-68-7.
Patrick Corbin will get the nod for the visiting Nationals. The left-handed Corbin is 11-7 with a 3.16 ERA and 210 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Twins this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Twins will put the ball in the right hand of Kyle Gibson (13-6, 4.58 ERA, 1.35 WHIP), who has 146 punchouts and 45 walks. Gibson did not register a start against the Nationals in 2018.
Washington’s pitching staff allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.58 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 9.66 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 5.79, along with a WHIP of 1.20 and a K-per-9 of 9.01.
The Nationals offense has slashed .263/.341/.454 on its way to 5.4 runs scored per game this year, including 5.1 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Washington’s hitters have been led by third baseman Anthony Rendon and outfielder Juan Soto, who have combined to swat 65 home runs. Rendon is slashing .333/.415/.623 with 32 home runs, 114 RBIs and 109 runs scored. Soto is hitting .295 with 33 homers, 102 RBIs, 99 runs and 12 stolen bases.
For the home team, Minnesota’s pitching staff has allowed 4.6 runs per game overall this season. The team’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.14, a WHIP of 1.28 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.5. The bullpen has a 4.17 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 9.4 K/9.
Minnesota’s hitters have put up 5.8 runs per contest, including 3.8 per game over its last 10 games and 3.2 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .208/.289/.363 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Twins’ hitters have been led by shortstop Jorge Polanco and left fielder Eddie Rosario. Polanco is slashing .299/.361/.490 with 21 home runs, 74 RBIs and 94 runs scored, and Rosario’s line sits at .273/.297/.487 with 28 homers, 94 RBIs and 81 runs scored.
Nationals at Twins MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Twins, ATS Winner – Twins, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Washington has logged 18 extra-base hits over its last five games. Minnesota has 15 XBH over its last five.
- Washington has recorded 22.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 21.2 over its last five.
- The Nationals have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games. The Twins have hit nine over their last 10.
- The Nationals have an OPS of .795 this season and an OPS of .782 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Twins’ OPS sits at .835 overall and .821 versus righties.
