Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Target Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Charlie Morton (6-4) vs. Mike Pelfrey (5-7)

The Minnesota Twins host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Target Field on Tuesday. The probable starters are Charlie Morton for the Pirates and Mike Pelfrey for the Twins. The opening line for this matchup has Pittsburgh at -116 and Minnesota at +106. The over/under was set at 8.5. The Pirates have a 42-47 over/under record and a 42-56 run line mark, meaning they cover 43% of the time. The Twins have a 44-46 over/under record and a 61-37 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 62% of the time.

The Pirates show up with a 57-41 record, including 22-24 on the road. Charlie Morton has an earned run average of 4.59 and is 6-4 so far on the season while having a 1.30 WHIP. In his starts, the Pirates are 7-4 over his 64.2 innings pitched this season while giving up 64 hits during those innings. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 3-6. The team is averaging 3.9 runs when he starts. The bullpen has given up 263 hits on the season and have a earned run average of 2.62. Opposing teams are hitting .236 against the Pirates bullpen while walking 87 times and striking out 256 times. Pittsburgh is averaging 7.82 strikeouts per game while getting 8.3 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 2nd in baseball in team earned run average at 3.05.

Pittsburgh is batting .256 as a team, which is good for 8th in the league and hitting .254 away from home. The Pirates on-base percentage sits at .315, which puts them at 14th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .383. Starling Marte leads the team in hits with 102 while the team ranks 7th in baseball with 8.84 hits per game.

Minnesota is 32-18 at home while holding a 52-46 overall record on the season. Mike Pelfrey is starting this game 5-7 for the season with an earned run average of 3.94 and a WHIP of 1.47. In his starts, the Twins are 10-8 and he has allowed 121 hits over 105 innings pitched this season. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 6-10. The team is averaging 3.9 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen has given up 286 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 3.91. Opposing teams are hitting .254 against the Twins bullpen while walking 87 times and striking out 196 times. Minnesota is averaging 6.07 strikeouts per game while getting 9.39 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 16th in the league in team earned run average at 3.88.

They are batting .252 as a team, which is good for 18th in the league and hitting .280 at home. The Twins on-base percentage sits at .305, which puts them at 24th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .397. Joe Mauer leads the team in hits with 99 while the team ranks 21st in baseball with 8.39 hits a game.

In terms of team defense, the Pirates have a fielding percentage of .982 with 72 total errors, 1181 assists and 2,702 put outs. The Twins have committed 54 errors on the season with 999 assists and 2,603 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .985 on the year.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 42-47 against the over/under so far this season

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 42-56 against the run line so far this season

Minnesota Twins Betting Trends

The Minnesota Twins are 44-46 against the over/under so far this season

The Minnesota Twins are 61-37 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh Pirates

07/20/15 SS Jordy Mercer Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/20)
07/19/15 CF Gorkys Hernandez Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/13)
07/06/15 3B Josh Harrison Thumb Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/6)
06/24/15 RF Corey Hart Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (6/22)
05/07/15 LF Andrew Lambo Plantar Fasciitis Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/4)
04/06/15 P Brandon Cumpton Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)
04/06/15 SS Justin Sellers Heel Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Minnesota Twins

06/26/15 CF Byron Buxton Thumb Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/25)
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)

Tony's Pick: Take the Pirates

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