Houston Needs To Stay Afloat Over The Weekend
Twins vs Astros Preview: Some Fun Pitching Matchups Coming Up!
The Houston Astros will play the Minnesota Twins in an exciting three-game series over the weekend. While the Astros are just 25-32 on the season, they still have enough talent to make a postseason run. Nobody has given up on the Astros just yet.
They’re currently 25-32, which certainly won’t get it done in the American League. However, there are more than 100 games left on the schedule.
On the other hand, the Twins are 31-25 and have had some really good pitching throughout the season. The pitching staff looks great on paper heading into this weekend’s series against Houston.
In the first game of the series, the Astros are listed as favorites, proving that they’re still a team that bookmakers like long-term.
The Astros are -114 on the moneyline, with the total at 8.5. However, the total has the Under juiced to -128, with Pablo Lopez and Ronel Blanco dueling it out.
Our Twins vs Astros preview will examine Game 1 and Games 2 and 3 to help you prepare for betting on this weekend’s series.
Twins vs Astros 
Records: Minnesota Twins (31-25), Houston Astros (25-32)
Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX
Day/Time:
Streaming: Space City Home Network, Bally Sports North, MLBN
Minnesota’s Best Option at First Base
With Royce Lewis expected to return to the Twins’ Major League roster soon, someone has to be optioned down.
Jose Miranda could get set down with Lewis’ return. But he’s probably Minnesota’s best option at first base.
The right-handed power slugger has hit five home runs in 38 games. But with Lewis returning, Miranda would have to move from third base and play first base.
Ultimately, that’s the best option.
Starting Pitching Depth Is Weak For Houston
Typically, the Houston Astros have lots of depth at the starter position. However, manager Joe Espada told the media that Jose Urquidy and Christian Javier are unlikely to return any time soon with right forearm injuries.
Both players will get a second opinion, meaning both starters will likely miss an extended amount of time this season. That won’t help the Houston Astros standings.
Twins vs Astros Preview & Odds For Game 1:
RL: Twins -1.5 (+160) ML: Astros -114, O/U 8.5 -+108/-128
âš¾ Game 1 âš¾
Friday, 8:10 pm ET
Pablo Lopez vs. Ronel Blanco
Heading into the season, Pablo Lopez was projected to be Minnesota’s ace pitcher. However, that hasn’t been the case. Lopez has added nearly 28% of strikeouts and has issued just four walks. But he’s also allowed a .205 ISO and wOBA of .326, thanks to a low ground ball rate and high fly ball rate.
He’ll be in line to face a Houston lineup that has only struck out 20.8% of the time in the last 30 days against righties. If the Astros put the ball in play against Lopez, that likely won’t work out in Lopez’s favor. Lopez currently has a 5.25 ERA this year.
On the other hand, Ronel Blanco will get the start for Houston. He’s not getting many strikeouts against lefties and has walked 12.7% of lefties this season. Still, he’s limited opponents to a .105 ISO and wOBA of .249 with 23.7% of strikeouts.
Blanco has been better against righties and will face a majority of lefties in the Minnesota lineup. That’s not ideal for Blanco, knowing he’s allowed 35.3% of fly balls and has induced just 36.8% of ground balls against lefties this season.
The Twins have hit a .164 ISO and wOBA of .307 with their projected lineup against righties this season.
Our MLB predictions today are like the Over 8.5 at +108. There’s value there. Ultimately, if both teams can score at least four runs, the Over would be a winner
âš¾ Game 2 âš¾
Saturday, 4:10 pm ET
Joe Ryan vs. Framber Valdez
Joe Ryan will get the ball for Game 2 of the series. Ryan has added nearly 28% of strikeouts for the Twins as well. He’s limited ISO numbers to .143 and wOBA to .264 against his first 262 batters this season.
Ryan has allowed a high percentage of fly balls and hasn’t induced a high amount of grounders. But he’s done better keeping teams off the base paths. As a result, he’s got a 2.96 ERA on the season.
Ryan will face lefty Framber Valdez of the Astros. Valdez is a lefty, who has earned 68.3% of ground balls with only 9.9% of fly balls allowed.
This game should easily be a low-scoring affair. Back the Under when the MLB lines come out.
âš¾ Game 3 âš¾
Sunday, 1:05 pm ET
Simeon Woods Richardson vs. Hunter Brown
In the finale, Simeon Woods Richardson will get the call. The rookie righty has allowed a .081 ISO and wOBA of .267 against his first 164 batters. Woods Richardson doesn’t typically add a high rate of strikeouts, so it’s unlikely he’ll add many against the Astros. However, he keeps walking down and has limited line drive contact to 23%.
While he’s got a 2.70 ERA, it’s probably unlikely he will sustain this type of success with a low ground ball rate and high fly ball rate against righties. But he’s been good enough to keep the Twins in games.
Woods Richardson will duel it out with Hunter Brown of the Astros. Brown is a righty who has allowed a .197 ISO and wOBA of .376 to his first 224 batters this season. With low strikeouts and high walks, it makes sense. But he’s also earned 49.7% of ground balls and has kept line drives and fly balls below 24%. Brown has been better than his 6.39 ERA.
Another low-scoring game could be in the cards on Sunday in our Twins vs Astros preview.
Twins vs Astros Odds
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