The Oakland Athletics travel to Target Field to take on the Minnesota Twins Thursday night. Below we will continue our MLB odds series with an Athletics-Twins prediction and pick. We will also let you know how to watch the game.
Athletics-Twins Projected Starters
Luis Medina vs. Joe Ryan
Luis Medina (0-1) with a 5.23 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 10.1 innings pitched, 7K/7BB, .189 oBA
Last Start: vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Loss, 4.2 innings pitched, 5 hits, 6 runs, 5 walks, 1 strikeout
2024 Road Splits: 1 start, 0.00 ERA, .705 WHIP, 5.2 innings pitched, 6K/2BB, .105 oBA
Joe Ryan (4-5) with a 3.30 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 79 innings pitched, 85K/13BB, .217 oBA
Last Start: at Pittsburgh Pirates: Loss, 7 innings, 2 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 8 strikeouts
2024 Home Splits: 6 starts, 2-3, 4.29 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 35.2 innings pitched, 40K/4BB, .221 oBA
Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Athletics-Twins Odds
Oakland Athletics: +1.5 (+100)
Moneyline: +200
Minnesota Twins: -1.5 (-120)
Moneyline: -245
Over: 8 (-122)
Under: 8 (+100)
How to Watch Athletics vs. Twins
Time: 7:40 PM ET/4:40 PM PT
TV: NBC Sports California, Bally Sports North
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Athletics Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Athletics are having a better season than everyone expected. They are still not great, but they are better than expected. They have Luis Medina on the mound, who has one great start and one bad start. His good start consisted of 5.2 innings and six strikeouts against a very good Atlanta Braves team. Medina needs to have a repeat of that start. That start was also on the road, so the Athletics should feel confident in Medina in this one, as well.
The Twins have the ninth-worst batting average, 10th-fewest walks, and 11th-highest whiff percentage in the MLB. They are a free-swinging offense, and they tend to get themselves out more times than not. Medina needs to take advantage of this. He does not necessarily have to be on the plate, but he needs to be close enough to get the Twins to swing. Doing that will allow Minnesota to get themselves out and Medina to have another solid road start.
Why The Twins Will Cover The Spread/Win
Joe Ryan is having a great season, despite what his record might indicate. He lost his last outing, and that was a very good start, he just go no run support. The Twins need Ryan to continue to pitch as he has been. His WHIP is under 1.00, and he is even better at home. His 10/1 K/BB ratio at home is an elite number. He should be able to continue pitching like that against a very weak offense in the Athletics.
The Athletics, offensively, have the second-lowest batting batting average, second-most strikeouts, second-lowest zone contact percentage, second-lowest chase contact percentage, and the highest whiff percentage. They are a team that will strike out more than a few times a game if going against a good pitcher. Joe Ryan is a strikeout pitcher, and he should be able to take full advantage of that. If he can pitch his game, he will dominate the Athletics in this one.
Final Athletics-Twins Prediction & Pick
Do no overthink this game. The Athletics are a better team this year, but they are still not great. The Twins are the better team, and Joe Ryan is the better pitcher. I will be taking the Twins to not only win this game but cover the spread, as well.
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Final Athletics-Twins Prediction & Pick: Twins -1.5 (-120)