In the first of a three-game series between the Minnesota Twins (65-62) and the Houston Astros (71-57) at Target Field, Kyle Gibson (8-9, 3.96 ERA) and Scott Kazmir (7-8, 2.39 ERA) get the ball. The game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 28 and will air on FSN and RTSW.
In his most recent outing, Gibson pitched 5.2 innings, giving up two runs, striking out two and walking four in a 3-2 loss to the Orioles. Brian Dozier (.244, 87 Rs, 26 HRs, 66 RBIs, 10 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run. The Astros were victorious over the Dodgers 3-1 the last time Kazmir pitched. He went 6.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out eight and walking one. George Springer (.264, 43 Rs, 13 HRs, 29 RBIs, 14 SBs) went 1 for 2 Wednesday with one run and one stolen base.
Minnesota is a +130 underdog in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is eight runs. The Twins are 50-51 as the underdog and have an overall money line of +1,747. Over the last 10 games, they have had a very good record when playing as the underdog (7-3). Minnesota has averaged 6.0 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 4.4. Turning to the pitching staff, the Twins don’t give up many walks at home to opposing batters at Target Field, leading the AL with only 2.2 walks allowed per home game.
On the other side, the Astros have a record of 41-29 when they are favored and are +931 overall with the money line. Houston is a terror on the base paths, ranking third in the MLB with 97 stolen bases. The Astros are a problem for opposing batters, sporting an AL-low 3.25 ERA this season. They have a WHIP of 1.17 on the year, good for second in the league.
The Twins will take on a left-hander (Kazmir) in this game and have a 22-20 record against left-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Astros will be the right-hander Gibson. They sport a 46-37 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hou, O/U – Over
Notes
The Twins are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Astros have a 20-32 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 12-53. The Astros have a 13-42 record when opponents outhit them.
Houston tops the league in home runs with 174 this season. Minnesota ranks in the top half at 15th with 121.
Minnesota and Houston both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Minnesota sits at 11th with 8.41 hits per game and Houston ranks 15th with 8.07.
Ranking 20th, Minnesota is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.707). Houston ranks in the top half at 12th with an OPS of .729.
The Astros are 25-38 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Twins are 35-50 when they allow at least one homer.
