Friday, September 4, 2015

Minute Maid Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Mike Pelfrey (6-8) vs. Collin McHugh (14-7)

The Minnesota Twins visit Minute Maid Park on Friday to play the Houston Astros. The Twins send Mike Pelfrey to the mound to face Collin McHugh of the Astros. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota at +168 and Houston at -178. The over/under was set at 8.5. The Twins have a 62-62 over/under record and a 80-52 run line mark, meaning they cover 60% of the time. The Astros are 72-62 against the run line and have a 60-69 over/under record. They cover the spread 54% of the time.

The Twins head into this matchup with a 69-63 record, including 27-38 on the road. Mike Pelfrey has a 6-8 record on the season, an earned run average of 3.85 and a 1.44 WHIP. He's pitched 142.2 innings thus far while surrendering 164 hits over that time and when he starts, the Twins are 13-12. The Twins are also 10-13 against the over/under in his starts. His teammates are averaging 4.4 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen has given up 403 hits on the season and have an earned run average of 4.03. Opposing teams are hitting .250 against the Twins bullpen while walking 133 times and striking out 307 times. Minnesota is averaging 6.28 strikeouts per game while getting 9.49 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 21st in baseball in team earned run average at 4.14.

Minnesota ranks 23rd in the league in team batting average at .249 while hitting .230 on the road. The Twins on-base percentage sits at .304, which puts them at 29th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .402. Joe Mauer leads the team in hits with 130 while the team ranks 24th in baseball with 8.36 hits per game.

With a 46-23 home record, Houston will hope to improve on their 73-61 overall mark. Collin McHugh has a record of 14-7 while sporting an earned run average of 3.92 on the year with a 1.28 WHIP. He's pitched 165.1 innings thus far while surrendering 168 hits over that time in which the Astros are 16-10. The Astros are also 12-13 against the over/under in his starts. His teammates score an average of 4.6 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen has given up 287 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 2.81. Opposing teams are hitting .203 against the Astros bullpen while walking 114 times and striking out 384 times. Houston is averaging 7.85 strikeouts per game while getting 7.97 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 3rd in the league in team earned run average at 3.36.

They rank 29th in the league in team batting average with a .242 average while hitting .246 at home. The Astros on-base percentage sits at .308, which puts them at 21st in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .420. Jose Altuve leads the team in hits with 163 while the team ranks 30th in baseball with 8.12 hits a game.

In terms of team defense, the Twins have a fielding percentage of .986 with 70 total errors, 1,331 assists and 3,510 put outs. The Astros have committed 65 errors on the season with 1,379 assists and 3,596 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .987 on the year.

Minnesota Twins Betting Trends

The Minnesota Twins are 62-62 against the over/under so far this season

The Minnesota Twins are 80-52 against the run line so far this season

Houston Astros Betting Trends

The Houston Astros are 60-69 against the over/under so far this season

The Houston Astros are 72-62 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Minnesota Twins

09/03/15 P Glen Perkins Back out indefinitely
09/03/15 RF Torii Hunter Rest is not expected to be in the starting lineup Thursday vs. Chicago White Sox
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)

Houston Astros

09/02/15 P Scott Feldman Shoulder "?" for next scheduled start
08/30/15 C Jason Castro Quad Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/29)
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

Guy's Pick: Take the Astros

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