Saturday, June 20, 2015

Target Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Jon Lester (4-5) vs. Trevor May (4-5)

The Minnesota Twins welcome the Chicago Cubs to Target Field on Saturday. The Cubs send Jon Lester to the mound to face Trevor May of the Twins. The opening line for this matchup has Chicago at -127 and Minnesota at +117. The over/under was set at 8. The Cubs have a 27-32 over/under record and a 27-37 run line mark, meaning they cover 42% of the time. The Twins are 41-25 against the run line and have a 32-33 over/under record. They cover the spread 62% of the time.

The Cubs come into this game with a 35-29 record, and they are 17-16 away from home. Starting pitcher Jon Lester holds a 4-5 record with an earned run average of 3.99 and a WHIP of 1.37. In his starts, the Cubs are 7-6 over his 79 innings pitched this season while giving up 88 hits during those innings. Against the over/under, the Cubs are 5-7 in his starts. His teammates are averaging 3.1 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 3.29 and they've given up 174 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .230 against the Cubs bullpen while walking 76 times and striking out 185 times. Chicago is averaging 8.73 strikeouts per game while getting 8.31 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 7th in baseball in team earned run average at 3.57.

Chicago ranks 20th in the league in team batting average at .246 while hitting .253 on the road. Ranked at 9th in the league in on-base percentage, the Cubs sit at .322 and they hold a .394 team slugging percentage. Anthony Rizzo leads the team in hits with 71 while the team ranks 18th in baseball with 8.45 hits per game.

With a 36-30 overall record, Minnesota will come into this game 22-12 at home. With an earned run average of 4.26, Trevor May will come into this game holding a 4-5 record and a 1.27 WHIP. In his starts, the Twins are 6-6 and he has allowed 73 hits over 67.2 innings pitched this season. Against the over/under, the Twins are 7-5 when he starts. His teammates score an average of 4.2 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 3.65 and they have given up 194 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .254 against the Twins bullpen while walking 61 times and striking out 130 times. Minnesota is averaging 5.87 strikeouts per game while getting 9.41 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 15th in the league in team earned run average at 3.84.

They rank 19th in the league in team batting average with a .247 average while hitting .273 at home. Ranked at 25th in the league in on-base percentage, the Twins sit at .300 and they hold a .381 team slugging percentage. Brian Dozier leads the team in hits with 65 while the team ranks 22nd in baseball with 8.23 hits a game.

The Cubs have committed 49 errors and have combined for 645 assists and 1,739 put outs leading to a .980 team fielding percentage. The Twins have committed 39 errors on the season with 700 assists and 1,756 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .984 on the year.

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 27-32 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 27-37 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

06/03/15 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

06/19/15 RF Torii Hunter Rest is not expected to be in the starting lineup Friday vs. Chicago Cubs
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

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