Sunday, September 6, 2015

Minute Maid Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Tyler Duffey (2-1) vs. Dallas Keuchel (16-6)

The Minnesota Twins visit Minute Maid Park on Sunday to play the Houston Astros. The Twins send Tyler Duffey to the mound to face Dallas Keuchel of the Astros. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota at +220 and Houston at -240. The over/under was set at 7.5. The Twins, with a 80-54 run line record, cover the spread 60% of the time. They also have a 63-62 over/under record. The Astros have a 60-69 over/under record and a 73-62 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 54% of the time.

The Twins head into this matchup with a 69-65 record, including 27-39 on the road. Starting pitcher Tyler Duffey holds a 2-1 record with an earned run average of 4.56 and a WHIP of 1.56. In his starts, the Twins are 4-1 over his 25.2 innings pitched this season while giving up 26 hits during those innings. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 4-1. His teammates are averaging 7.8 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen has given up 408 hits on the season and have an earned run average of 4.01. Opposing teams are hitting .251 against the Twins bullpen while walking 134 times and striking out 312 times. Minnesota is averaging 6.31 strikeouts per game while getting 9.53 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 22nd in baseball in team earned run average at 4.19.

Minnesota ranks 24th in the league in team batting average at .248 while hitting .230 on the road. The Twins on-base percentage sits at .303, which puts them at 29th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .400. Joe Mauer leads the team in hits with 133 while the team ranks 27th in baseball with 8.34 hits per game.

With a 47-23 home record, Houston will hope to improve on their 74-61 overall mark. With an earned run average of 2.24, Dallas Keuchel will come into this game holding a 16-6 record and a 1.00 WHIP. In his starts, the Astros are 19-8 and he has allowed 150 hits over 192.2 innings pitched this season. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 12-15. His teammates score an average of 4.9 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 .202 against the Astros bullpen while walking 114 times and striking out 387 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 3.33.

They rank 29th in the league in team batting average with a .243 average while hitting .248 at home. The Astros on-base percentage sits at .309, which puts them at 21st in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .421. Jose Altuve leads the team in hits with 164 while the team ranks 29th in baseball with 8.16 hits a game.

In terms of team defense, the Twins have a fielding percentage of .986 with 70 total errors, 1,346 assists and 3,561 put outs. The Astros have committed 65 errors on the season with 1,388 assists and 3,623 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .987 on the year.

Minnesota Twins Betting Trends

The Minnesota Twins are 63-62 against the over/under so far this season

The Minnesota Twins are 80-54 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 73-62 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Minnesota Twins

09/03/15 P Glen Perkins Back out indefinitely
08/26/15 P J.R. Graham Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/26)
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)
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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