The Minnesota Twins are playing host to the Oakland Athletics at Target Field. This AL matchup will get going at 8:10 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to NBC Sports – California to catch the game.
Oakland Athletics vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Minnesota (+125) as the underdog to Oakland (-135). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -120 for over nine runs and +100 for under nine. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds sitting at +110 for the Athletics -1.5 runs and -130 for the Twins +1.5 runs.
The Athletics have gone 76-52 SU this year and are 65-62 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 30.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 1.1 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Twins, on the other hand, are 61-66 SU and 67-59 ATS. They’ve lost 8.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 4.8 units ATS. Minnesota has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven.
Twins games have had an over/under record of 61-62-3 in 2018. The Athletics have been a decent under bet with a total record of 56-62-9.
Sean Manaea is getting the start for Oakland. The left-handed Manaea is 11-9 with a 3.70 ERA and 107 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Twins this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Twins are going with righty Jake Odorizzi (5-7, 4.55 ERA), who has 136 punchouts and 53 walks, as well as a 1.39 WHIP. Odorizzi only made one start against the Athletics in 2017 (1-0, 1.29 ERA and five strikeouts across seven innings).
Minnesota’s pitching staff has yielded 4.7 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 4.50, a WHIP of 1.39 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.4. The bullpen has a 4.40 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 9.3 K/9.
The Minnesota offense is putting up 4.5 runs per outing, including 6.0 per game over its last 10 games and 4.8 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .247/.322/.420 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Twins’ offense has been led by left fielder Eddie Rosario and shortstop Eduardo Escobar. Rosario is slashing .289/.328/.486 with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs and 81 runs scored, while Escobar is batting .274 with 15 homers, 63 RBIs and 45 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Oakland’s pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 4.09 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 6.59 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.32, along with a WHIP of 1.21 and a K/9 of 9.15.
Athletics hitters have slashed .250/.324/.434 on their way to 4.7 runs scored per game this year, including 4.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Shortstop Marcus Semien and second baseman Jed Lowrie continue to lead Oakland’s hitters. Semien is hitting .267/.326/.390 with 10 home runs, 46 RBIs, 74 runs and 13 stolen bases. Lowrie (.273/.354/.471) has produced 20 homers, 79 RBIs and 56 runs scored.
The Athletics have gained 23.1 units and are 41-40 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 38 of those games, compared to 39 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Twins have lost 3.1 units and are 20-17 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 16 of those games, compared to 20 that’ve cashed the under.
Oakland Athletics vs. Minnesota Twins Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Athletics, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – OVER
