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The Minnesota Twins continue their road trip in Houston for the finale of their three-game series with the Houston Astros looking to take two of three and the series victory before they head out East for a road trip to start next week in this Sunday afternoon matchup at Minute Maid Park So let's check out our MLB odds series, which includes our Twins-Astros prediction and pick.
Minnesota Twins (32-26) took it to the Houston Astros in Game 1 of this series as the underdogs winning by a score of 6-1. The Twins ace Pablo Lopez was able to limit the Astros to just 1 Earned Run on 6 hits in 7 innings of work. They took it to the Astros ace Ronel Blanco roughing him up for 4 Earned Runs on 3 hits and 3 walks in just 4 2/3 innings. However, in Game 2 on Saturday, the Astros got out to an early 5-0 lead through 5 innings and never let up after that. Now, the Twins will look to take the series when they take on the Astros on Sunday afternoon when rookie pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson takes the mound.
Houston Astros (26-33) came into this series with the Twins after losing three of four in their series with the Mariners and then followed that up with a loss at home in Game 1 against the Twins. The Astros got a much-needed rebound victory in Game 2 when Framber Valdez held the Twins to just 1 Earned Run on 2 hits in 7 innings pitched. The Astros hope that this newfound momentum will continue in their series finale on Sunday afternoon when Hunter Brown takes the mound.
Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Twins-Astros Odds
Minnesota Twins: +1.5 (-192)
Moneyline: +110
Houston Astros: -1.5 (+158)
Moneyline: -130
Over: 8.5 (-120)
Under: 8.5 (-102)
How to Watch Twins vs. Astros
Time: 1:05 ET/10:05 PT
TV: MLB Extra Innings
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Twins Will Cover The Spread/Win
As the Minnesota Twins prepare to face the Houston Astros on the road this Sunday, the pitching duel between Simeon Woods Richardson and Hunter Brown will be pivotal.
Simeon Woods Richardson has been in excellent form this season, boasting a 2-0 record with a 2.70 ERA over 40 innings pitched. His ability to maintain a low ERA and WHIP (1.10) demonstrates his control and effectiveness on the mound. In contrast, Hunter Brown has struggled with consistency, holding a 1-5 record and a 6.39 ERA. Brown's high WHIP of 1.78 indicates that he allows too many baserunners, which could be detrimental against a disciplined Twins lineup.
Woods Richardson's command has been a key factor in his success. He has struck out 30 batters while walking only 10, showcasing his ability to dominate hitters without giving away free passes. Brown, on the other hand, has shown vulnerability, particularly in his recent outings. Over his last five games, he has allowed 10 earned runs in 26.1 innings, translating to an 3.42 ERA. This lack of command and control could be exploited by the Twins' hitters.
The Twins are currently on a hot streak, winning seven of their last ten games and averaging 5 runs per game during this stretch. In contrast, the Astros have been inconsistent, winning only five of their last 10 games. Minnesota's recent offensive surge, combined with Woods Richardson's reliable pitching, gives them a significant edge.
Why The Astros Will Cover The Spread/Win
As the Houston Astros prepare to face the Minnesota Twins at Minute Maid Park this Sunday, the pitching duel between Hunter Brown and Simeon Woods Richardson will be a great watch for baseball fans.
Hunter Brown, despite a challenging season, has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly at home. His home ERA of 3.80 is significantly better than his overall season ERA of 6.39, indicating he performs better in familiar surroundings. Minute Maid Park's conditions and the support of the home crowd could provide the boost he needs to outpitch Woods Richardson.
The Astros' lineup, featuring power hitters like Kyle Tucker and Jose Altuve, is a formidable force. Tucker leads the team with 18 home runs and 39 RBIs, while Altuve has been consistent with a .291 batting average and nine home runs. This offensive firepower can exploit any mistakes made by Woods Richardson, who, despite his strong season, is still relatively inexperienced.
The Astros have shown resilience, winning 45.2% of games when favored by the moneyline. Their recent form includes a crucial 5-2 win over the Twins in their most recent matchup which was much-needed after losing four out of their last five games prior. This resilience, combined with their home-field advantage, makes them a tough opponent.
While the Twins have been strong, they have shown vulnerabilities, particularly on the road. Their recent 6-1 loss to the Royals highlights their inconsistency. Woods Richardson, though impressive, has a limited track record, and facing a potent Astros lineup in a high-pressure environment could be challenging.
Final Twins-Astros Prediction & Pick
This should be an intriguing matchup between these two teams that are looking to continue their recent momentum. The Minnesota Twins have been red hot and they boast a great lineup that can get after it which should give the young Hunter Brown a ton of trouble in this matchup. As long as Simeon Woods Richardson can hit his mark and pitch a solid game against this Astros lineup they should come away with the victory on the road.
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Final Twins-Astros Prediction & Pick: Minnesota Twins (+110), Under 8.5 Runs (-102)
