Toronto Blue Jays at Minnesota Twins Free MLB Picks & Odds
by Tony Sink - 4/16/2014
Thursday, April 17, 1:10 PM on RSN
Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Toronto - McGowan, D (1-1) vs. Minnesota - Gibson, K (2-0)
For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here
Kyle Gibson will be looking to get his third win in a row when the Minnesota Twins play Dustin McGowan and the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday.
Dustin McGowan was much better in his second start of the season than he was in his first. The 32-year-old was able to go 6.1 innings against the Baltimore Orioles and gave up zero runs on just five hits. His ERA now sits at 4.00 and should continue to drop if he keeps pitching the way he did against the O's.
The Twins haven't seen too much of McGowan over the years, but they haven't done too well against him in limited matchups. In 22 combined plate appearances, none of the Twins have a home run against McGowan and they have just one RBI.
Through his first two starts, Kyle Gibson has been the Twins' best starting pitcher by a wide margin. In his last start, Gibson was able to go 6.1 innings against the Kansas City Royals and gave up five hits and just one run while striking out three. He did walk four for the second game in a row, so he may end up with even better results if he can get his command under control.
None of the current Blue Jays' hitters have faced Gibson yet, but they can look forward to a 92 mph fastball that he throws about 70% of the time, and an 82 mph slider that teams have not been able to handle this season.
Toronto Betting Trends
Toronto is 7-6-0 against the Over/Under
Run differential for Toronto is +0.4
Minnesota Betting Trends
Minnesota is 10-2-0 against the Over/Under
Run differential for Minnesota is +0.2
Injuries to Watch
Toronto
04/14/14 CF Colby Rasmus Hamstring questionable
04/14/14 2B Maicer Izturis Knee 15-day DL (4/14)
04/01/14 SS Jose Reyes Hamstring 15-day DL (3/30)
03/31/14 P Casey Janssen Shoulder 15-day DL (3/29)
03/27/14 P J.A. Happ Back 15-day DL (3/26)
Minnesota
04/11/14 LF Josh Willingham Wrist 15-day DL (4/7)
04/09/14 RF Oswaldo Arcia Wrist 15-day DL (4/5)
04/07/14 SS Jason Bartlett Ankle 15-day DL (4/7)
Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota
Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here
Read more articles by Tony Sink
Get all of Today's Free MLB Picks
Get all of Today's Expert MLB Picks