The Oakland Athletics will be taking on the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The game gets underway 7:10 p.m. ET and NBC Sports – California will broadcast this AL showdown.
Oakland Athletics vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Minnesota (+135) as the underdog to Oakland (-145). Gamblers are able to wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -105 for over 9.5 runs and -115 for under 9.5. You can also bet on the game’s runline with the most recent odds standing at +100 for the Athletics -1.5 runs and -120 for the Twins +1.5.
The Twins are 68-59 against the spread (ATS)despite being only 61-67 straight up (SU). They’ve lost 6.6 units for moneyline bettors while earning 5.8 units (ATS). Minnesota has covered the spread just twice in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Athletics, on the other hand, are 77-52 SU and have gone 65-63 ATS. Overall, the team’s accumulated 28.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 0.0 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in three of those seven.
Minnesota games have an over/under record of 62-62-3 in 2018. Athletics games have gone under 62 times, gone over 57 times and pushed on nine occasions.
Mike Fiers is getting the start for the visiting Athletics. The right-handed Fiers is 9-6 with a 3.21 ERA and 108 strikeouts. He has yet to face Minnesota this year, but he made two starts against the team in 2017, posting a 2-0 record with a 2.77 ERA and 19 strikeouts.
The Twins are sending lefty Stephen Gonsalves (0-1, 27.00 ERA) to the hill. Gonsalves has three punchouts and two walks to his name, as well as a 6.00 WHIP. Gonsalves did not pitch in the majors last season.
Oakland’s pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 4.06 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 6.56 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.29, along with a K-per-9 of 9.21.
Athletics hitters have slashed .250/.324/.436 on their way to 4.8 runs scored per game this season, including 4.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Oakland’s offensive production has been fueled by shortstop Marcus Semien and second baseman Jed Lowrie. Semien is slashing .265/.323/.387 with 10 home runs, 46 RBIs, 74 runs and 13 steals, while Lowrie has a .273 average with 20 homers, 79 RBIs and 57 runs scored.
For the home team, Minnesota’s pitching staff has allowed 4.7 runs per game overall this year. The team’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.47, a WHIP of 1.38 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.4. The bullpen has a 4.48 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 9.3 K/9.
The Minnesota offense is putting up 4.5 runs per outing, including 5.6 per game over its last 10 games and 4.0 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .235/.311/.346 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Outfielder Eddie Rosario and shortstop Eduardo Escobar have paced the Twins’ offense this year. Rosario is slashing .291/.329/.486 with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs and 82 runs scored, and Escobar’s line is .274/.338/.514 with 15 homers, 63 RBIs and 45 runs scored.
The Athletics have gained 7.2 units and are 24-22 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 18 of those games, as opposed to 23 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Twins have lost 3.5 units and are 48-42 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 46 of those games, compared to 42 that’ve cashed the under.
Oakland Athletics vs. Minnesota Twins MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Athletics, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – UNDER
Betting Notes
- Oakland has recorded 22 extra-base hits over its last five games. Minnesota has nine XBH over its last five.
- The Oakland defense has allowed two errors over the last 10 games, compared to eight errors for Minnesota over its last 10.
- The Athletics have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games, including 10 over their last five.
