The Minnesota Twins are prepared to battle against the Texas Rangers at Target Field. Fox Sports North will televise this AL matchup and the game is scheduled to get underway at 2:10 p.m. ET.
Texas Rangers vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Texas (+125) is coming into this one as the underdog against Minnesota (-135) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this afternoon’s game at 9.5 runs (-110 for the over and -110 for the under). Bettors can also wager on the games spread with the current runline odds standing at -170 for the Rangers +1.5 runs and +150 for the Twins -1.5.
The Twins are 41-30 against the spread (ATS)despite being only 33-39 straight up (SU). The team has lost 5.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 9.1 units (ATS). Minnesota has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total went over in four of those seven. The Rangers are 33-44 SU and have gone 35-41 ATS. Overall, the teams lost 2.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 11.9 units ATS. Texas has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven.
Twins games have had an over/under record of 33-36-2 thus far in 2018. The Rangers have an over/under record of 34-37-5.
Yovani Gallardo will get the nod for the Rangers. The right-handed Gallardo (0-0, 15.95 ERA) has racked up six punchouts in 7.1 innings so far. He has yet to face Minnesota this year, but he made two starts against the Twins in 2017, putting together a 1-0 record against them with a 5.54 ERA and 11 strikeouts.
The Twins will put the ball in the right hand of Jake Odorizzi (3-4, 4.38 ERA, 1.41 WHIP), who’s got 77 punchouts and 35 walks. Odorizzi only made one start against the Rangers in 2017 (0-0, 6.75 ERA and five strikeouts across four innings).
Minnesota’s pitchers have given up 4.4 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starters have a 4.10 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.27 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 9.0 K/9.
The Minnesota hitters have put up 4.2 runs per contest, including 3.8 per game over its last 10 games and 2.8 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .199/.267/.338 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Twins batters have been led by left fielder Eddie Rosario and shortstop Eduardo Escobar. Rosario is slashing .316/.355/.571 with 16 home runs, 46 RBIs, 52 runs and six stolen bases, while Escobar is batting .298 with 12 homers, 48 RBIs and 35 runs.
In the other dugout, Texas pitching staff allowed 5.2 runs per game and its starters own a 5.40 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 6.69 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.69, along with a WHIP of 1.46.
Rangers hitters have slashed .233/.321/.392 on their way to 4.4 runs scored per game this season, including 5.8 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 6.8 per game over the teams last five contests (5-0 SU).
Texas hitters have been led by Shin-soo Choo and Nomar Mazara. Choo is slashing .280/.391/.479 with 14 home runs, 35 RBIs and 47 runs scored, while Mazara is hitting .279/.344/.486 with 14 homers, 49 RBIs and 42 runs scored.
The Rangers have lost 0.1 units and are 24-28 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 21 of those games, compared to 29 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Twins have lost 3.4 units and are 29-22 ATS when facing a righty starter. The overs hit in 26 of those games, compared to 23 that went under the total.
Texas Rangers at Minnesota Twins MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Twins, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Texas has tallied 13 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Minnesota has 15 XBH over its last five.
- The Rangers have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
- Texas has averaged 24.8 runs + hits + errors over its last 10 contests and 25.6 over its last five.
