Friday, June 19, 2015

Target Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Kyle Hendricks (2-2) vs. Phil Hughes (4-6)

The Chicago Cubs visit Target Field on Friday to play the Minnesota Twins. The Cubs send Kyle Hendricks to the mound to face Phil Hughes of the Twins. The opening line for this matchup has Chicago at -116 and Minnesota at +106. The over/under was set at 8.5. The Cubs have a 27-31 over/under record and a 26-37 run line mark, meaning they cover 41% of the time. The Twins have a 32-33 over/under record and a 41-25 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 62% of the time.

The Cubs come into this game with a 35-28 record, and they are 17-15 away from home. Kyle Hendricks has a 2-2 record on the season, an earned run average of 3.80 and a 1.15 WHIP. In his starts, the Cubs are 7-5 over his 68.2 innings pitched this season while giving up 66 hits during those innings. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 7-5. His teammates are averaging 4.4 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen has given up 169 hits on the season and have a earned run average of 3.31. The bullpen has struck out 180 and walked 75 batters this season while opposing teams hit .228 against them. Chicago has a team average of 8.3 hits allowed per game and are averaging 8.67 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.57, they are 7th in the league.

Chicago ranks 20th in the league in team batting average at .247 while hitting .254 on the road. The Cubs on-base percentage sits at .323, which puts them at 10th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .395. With 71 hits, Anthony Rizzo leads the team while his team ranks 18th in hits per game with 8.48.

With a 36-30 overall record, Minnesota will come into this game 22-12 at home. Phil Hughes has a record of 4-6 while sporting an earned run average of 4.79 on the year with a 1.34 WHIP. In his starts, the Twins are 5-8 and he has allowed 102 hits over 82.2 innings pitched this season. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 6-7. His teammates score an average of 3.5 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen has given up 194 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 3.65. The Twins bullpen has struck out 130 batters and walked 61 this season while opposing teams have hit .254 against them. Minnesota has a team average of 9.48 hits per game and are averaging 5.9 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.89, they are 15th in the league.

They rank 19th in the league in team batting average with a .247 average while hitting .274 at home. The Twins on-base percentage sits at .300, which puts them at 25th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .380. With 65 hits, Brian Dozier leads the team while his team ranks 22nd in hits per game with 8.25.

In terms of team defense, the Cubs have a fielding percentage of .980 with 49 total errors, 640 assists and 1,715 put outs. Over the course of this season, the Twins have accumlated 39 errors while having 690 assists and 1,729 put outs leading to a .984 fielding percentage.

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 27-31 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 26-37 against the run line so far this season

Minnesota Twins Betting Trends

The Minnesota Twins are 32-33 against the over/under so far this season

The Minnesota Twins are 41-25 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Chicago Cubs

06/18/15 C Miguel Montero Back is upgraded to expected to be in the starting lineup Thursday vs. Cleveland Indians
06/03/15 RF Jorge Soler Ankle Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/2)
04/17/15 3B Mike Olt Wrist Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/15)
04/17/15 P Neil Ramirez Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/16)
04/15/15 2B Tommy La Stella Ribs Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/9)
04/06/15 P Jacob Turner Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Minnesota Twins

06/14/15 CF Aaron Hicks Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/13)
06/04/15 P Ricky Nolasco Ankle Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/1)
05/16/15 CF Jordan Schafer Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/16)
04/04/15 P Ervin Santana Suspension expected to miss 80 games

Tony's Pick: Take the Cubs

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