Friday, August 28, 2015

Target Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Scott Kazmir (7-8) vs. Kyle Gibson (8-9)

The Houston Astros visit Target Field on Friday to play the Minnesota Twins. Scott Kazmir is the probable starter for the Astros and he'll face Kyle Gibson of the Twins. The opening line for this matchup has Houston at -140 and Minnesota at +130. The over/under was set at 8. The Astros have a 56-67 over/under record and a 70-58 run line mark, meaning they cover 55% of the time. The Twins are 75-51 against the run line and have a 59-59 over/under record. They cover the spread 60% of the time.

The Astros come into this game with a 71-57 record, and they are 26-36 away from home. Scott Kazmir has an earned run average of 2.39 and is 7-8 so far on the season while having a 1.12 WHIP. He's pitched 147 innings thus far while surrendering 118 hits over that time and when he starts, the Astros are 11-13. Against the over/under, the Astros are 10-13 in his starts. The team is averaging 3.7 runs when he starts. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 2.64 and they've given up 267 hits on the season. The bullpen has struck out 366 and walked 107 batters this season while opposing teams hit .199 against them. Houston has a team average of 7.97 hits allowed per game and are averaging 7.81 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.30, they are 3rd in the league.

Houston is batting .241 as a team, which is good for 30th in the league and hitting .238 away from home. Ranked at 21st in the league in on-base percentage, the Astros sit at .307 and they hold a .420 team slugging percentage. With 151 hits, Jose Altuve leads the team while his team ranks 30th in hits per game with 8.07.

With a 65-61 overall record, Minnesota will come into this game 38-24 at home. Kyle Gibson is starting this game 8-9 for the season with an earned run average of 3.96 and a WHIP of 1.33. He's pitched 152.1 innings thus far while surrendering 150 hits over that time in which the Twins are 13-12. Against the over/under, the Twins are 9-13 when he starts. The team is averaging 3.6 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 4.01 and they have given up 379 hits on the season. The Twins bullpen has struck out 288 batters and walked 123 this season while opposing teams have hit .250 against them. Minnesota has a team average of 9.54 hits per game and are averaging 6.22 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 4.18, they are 22nd in the league.

They are batting .250 as a team, which is good for 21st in the league and hitting .271 at home. Ranked at 29th in the league in on-base percentage, the Twins sit at .303 and they hold a .402 team slugging percentage. With 125 hits, Joe Mauer leads the team while his team ranks 21st in hits per game with 8.41.

The Astros have committed 63 errors and have combined for 1,329 assists and 3,440 put outs leading to a .987 team fielding percentage. Over the course of this season, the Twins have accumulated 66 errors while having 1280 assists and 3,351 put outs leading to a .986 fielding percentage.

Houston Astros Betting Trends

The Houston Astros are 56-67 against the over/under so far this season

The Houston Astros are 70-58 against the run line so far this season

Minnesota Twins Betting Trends

The Minnesota Twins are 59-59 against the over/under so far this season

The Minnesota Twins are 75-51 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Houston Astros

07/02/15 RF George Springer Wrist Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/1)
05/19/15 P Samuel Deduno Back Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/14), out for season
04/17/15 P Brad Peacock Hip Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/14); out for season

Minnesota Twins

08/27/15 P Glen Perkins Back "?" Thursday vs. Tampa Bay Rays
08/26/15 P J.R. Graham Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/26)
08/20/15 CF Aaron Hicks Hamstring Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/20)
08/13/15 P Phil Hughes Back Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/10)
06/04/15 P Ricky Nolasco Ankle Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (6/1)
05/16/15 CF Jordan Schafer Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/16)

Josh's Pick: Take the Astros

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