The Oakland Athletics will be squaring off against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. NBC Sports – California will broadcast this AL matchup and the game gets going at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Oakland Athletics at Minnesota Twins Odds
Vegas is listing Minnesota (+135) as the underdog to Oakland (-145). Gamblers can wager on the game’s total with odds posted at -105 for over 9.5 runs and -115 for under 9.5. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the current odds sitting at +100 for the Athletics -1.5 runs and -120 for the Twins +1.5.
The Twins are 68-59 against the spread (ATS), but 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 only twice in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Athletics, on the other hand, have gone 77-52 SU this year and are 65-63 ATS. Overall, the team’s gained 28.6 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 0.0 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven.
Twins games have an over/under record of 62-62-3 in 2018. The Athletics have an over/under record of 57-62-9.
The right-handed Mike Fiers is projected to start for the visiting Athletics. Fiers (9-6, 3.21 ERA) has recorded 108 strikeouts in 137.1 innings so far. He has yet to face Minnesota this year, but he did make two starts against the team in 2017, posting a 2-0 record with a 2.77 ERA and 19 strikeouts.
The Twins will turn to lefty Stephen Gonsalves (0-1, 27.00 ERA), who has three strikeouts and two walks to his name as well as a WHIP of 6.00. 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 an ERA of 3.29, along with a K/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 outings (3-2 SU).
Oakland’s hitters have been paced 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 stolen bases, while Lowrie (.273/.356/.471) has produced 20 homers, 79 RBIs and 57 runs scored.
For the home team, Minnesota’s pitching staff has given up 4.7 runs per game overall in 2018. Its 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 hitters have produced 4.5 runs per contest, including 5.6 per game over its last 10 games and 4.0 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .235/.311/.346 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Twins’ hitters have been led by left fielder Eddie Rosario and shortstop Eduardo Escobar. Rosario is hitting .291/.329/.486 with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs and 82 runs scored, while Escobar’s line sits at .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 lefty starter this season. The over has hit in 18 of those games, compared to 23 that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Twins have lost 3.5 units and are 48-42 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in 46 of those games, compared to 42 that went under.
Oakland Athletics vs. Minnesota Twins MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Athletics, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – UNDER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The over has cashed in five of Minnesota’s last seven games.
Oakland fielders have 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.
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