Thursday, August 13, 2015

Target Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Chi Chi Gonzalez (2-4) vs. Ervin Santana (2-3)

The Minnesota Twins welcome the Texas Rangers to Target Field on Thursday. Chi Chi Gonzalez is the probable starter for the Rangers and he'll face Ervin Santana of the Twins. The opening line for this matchup has Texas at +120 and Minnesota at -130. The over/under was set at 9. The Rangers have a 50-55 over/under record and a 66-45 run line mark, meaning they cover 60% of the time. The Twins are 64-48 against the run line and have a 52-52 over/under record. They cover the spread 57% of the time.

The Rangers head into this matchup with a 55-56 record, including 32-27 on the road. Starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez holds a 2-4 record with an earned run average of 3.74 and a WHIP of 1.25. In his starts, the Rangers are 3-4 over his 43.1 innings pitched this season while giving up 35 hits during those innings. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 2-5. The team is averaging 3.6 runs when he starts. The bullpen has an earned run average of 4.62 and they have given up 355 base hits on the year. The bullpen has struck out 315 and walked 151 batters this season while opposing teams hit .255 against them. Texas has a team average of 9.18 hits allowed per game and are averaging 6.65 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 4.48, they are 26th in the league.

Texas is batting .255 as a team, which is good for 10th in the league and hitting .247 away from home. The Rangers hold a .407 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .319 which is good for 12th in baseball. With 137 hits, Prince Fielder leads the team while his team ranks 10th in hits per game with 8.76.

With a 35-22 home record, Minnesota will hope to improve on their 56-56 overall mark. With an earned run average of 5.40, Ervin Santana will come into this game holding a 2-3 record and a 1.44 WHIP. In his starts, the Twins are 3-4 and he has allowed 44 hits over 41.2 innings pitched this season. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 3-4. The team is averaging 3.9 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen has an earned run average of 4.13 and they have given up 336 base hits on the year. The Twins bullpen has struck out 247 batters and walked 110 this season while opposing teams have hit .253 against them. Minnesota has a team average of 9.64 hits per game and are averaging 6.18 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 4.25, they are 25th in the league.

They are batting .247 as a team, which is good for 23rd in the league and hitting .273 at home. The Twins hold a .396 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .301 which is good for 29th in baseball. With 108 hits, Joe Mauer leads the team while his team ranks 24th in hits per game with 8.24.

Texas has a team fielding percentage of .980 after having committed 85 errors with 1,127 assists and 2,975 put outs for the season. Over the course of this season, the Twins have accumlated 61 errors while having 1134 assists and 2,969 put outs leading to a .985 fielding percentage.

Texas Rangers Betting Trends

The Texas Rangers are 50-55 against the over/under so far this season

The Texas Rangers are 66-45 against the run line so far this season

Minnesota Twins Betting Trends

The Minnesota Twins are 52-52 against the over/under so far this season

The Minnesota Twins are 64-48 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Texas Rangers

08/11/15 P Cole Hamels Groin expected to miss next start Thursday vs Minnesota
08/02/15 P Tanner Scheppers Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/2)
08/01/15 C Robinson Chirinos Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/31)
07/18/15 C Carlos Corporan Thumb Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/13)
05/29/15 P Nick Tepesch Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/7)
05/29/15 P Derek Holland Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/11)
04/06/15 P Lisalverto Bonilla Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/31)
04/06/15 P Yu Darvish Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/6), out for season
04/04/15 RF Antoan Richardson Back Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/2)
04/04/15 2B Jurickson Profar Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (2/24), out for season

Minnesota Twins

08/02/15 P Tommy Milone Hip Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/1)
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 Twins

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