Sunday, August 31, 2014

Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Sunday afternoon, Ricky Nolasco (5 - 9, 5.62 ERA) takes the mound for the Minnesota Twins as they face Wei-Yin Chen (13 - 4, 3.76 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles. Nolasco will make his 22^nd start and Chen will make his 26^th.

Ricky Nolasco was spectacular in his last start but it didn't lead to a decision for him. Nolasco pitched 7 scoreless innings and allowed just 3 hits and a walk while striking out 6. But his bullpen couldn't hold the lead and Nolasco's effort was wasted. Nolasco hasn't pitched that well as of late and hasn't tasted victory since the beginning of July. Nolasco is just 2 - 4 in his last 10 outings. Last season, Nolasco made 33 starts and a relief appearance for the Miami Marlins and the Los Angeles Dodgers en route to a 13 - 11 record and a 3.70 ERA.

Nolasco didn't face the Orioles in 2013 but he had a start against them earlier this season. In that start, Nolasco took a hard luck loss after allowing 3 runs and 9 hits (including a homer) in a complete game effort.

Wei-Yin Chen didn't get the decision in his last start after a relatively short outing. Chen allowed 2 runs and 7 hits in 4.2 innings of work as he walked 3 without striking out a single batter. It was the 1^st time all season that Chen didn't record a K. But he has been phenomenal in recent weeks with a 6 - 2 record in his last 10 outings. In 2013, Chen was 7 - 7 with a 4.07 ERA in 23 starts.

Last season, Chen pitched 5 shutout innings in his only start against the Twins en route to a victory. But earlier this season, he took the loss against Minnesota after allowing 3 runs and 6 hits (including a homer) in 5 innings.

Minnesota Twins Betting Trends

Minnesota Twins are 67-61-5 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Minnesota Twins is -0.3

Baltimore Orioles Betting Trends

Baltimore Orioles are 57-72-3 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Baltimore Orioles is 0.5

Injuries to Watch

Minnesota Twins

08/25/14 P Yohan Pino Elbow out indefinitely
05/03/14 P Mike Pelfrey Groin 60-day DL (5/1)

Baltimore Orioles

08/22/14 3B Manny Machado Knee 15-day DL (8/12); out for season
06/17/14 C Matt Wieters Elbow 60-day DL (5/11), out for season
06/03/14 P Johan Santana Shoulder 60-day DL (6/2), out for season
04/03/14 P Edgmer Escalo Shoulder 60-day DL (3/30)
03/31/14 LF Francisco Peguero Wrist 15-day DL (3/21)

Tony's Pick: Take Baltimore

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