The Houston Astros and the Minnesota Twins meet Tuesday in MLB playoffs action from Target Field. This will be Game 3 in a best-of-five postseason Division Series. Houston posted a two-run win in the opener, then in Game 2 the Twins evened the series with a four-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Houston Astros

The Astros struck first in Game 1 of the Division Series back on Saturday. Houston scored twice in both the third and fifth innings, hanging on for a 6-4 win. Jordan Alvarez finished with two hits, three runs, two homers and three RBI in a big outing. In Game 2, Houston was down 6-0 by the end of the seventh and limped to a 6-2 defeat. Alvarez stayed hot though, posting a two-run homer for the RBI. 

In Tuesday’s Game 3 matchup, the Astros will turn to Cristian Javier for the start. This year Javier went 10-5 with a 4.56 ERA in 31 starts. Over his postseason career Javier is 4-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 14 games (two starts). 

Houston Astros Team Facts

• The Astros have won each of their last seven games as road underdogs following a loss.
• The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last 14 games as underdogs following a loss.
• The Astros have won the first inning in each of their last three day games.
• The Astros have led after 7 innings in each of their last five day playoff games against AL Central opponents.
• The Astros have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games as road underdogs against American League opponents.

Minnesota Twins 

Over on the Minnesota side, they got two home runs to serve as their scoring in the Saturday opener, one from Jorge Polanco (two hits; three RBI) and one from Royce Lewis (solo). In Sunday’s Game 2 performance, the Twins got three hits and three RBI from Carlos Correa. Kyle Farmer added a two-run homer as well. Starter Pablo Lopez ended up with 7.0 clean frames, six hits, one walk and seven Ks. 

It’ll be Sonny Gray in the starting role for the Twins on Tuesday in Game 3. This season Gray went 8-8 with a 2.79 ERA in 32 starts. Gray has a postseason win under his belt this year, going 5.0 clean innings with six Ks versus the Blue Jays. 

Minnesota Twins Team Facts

• The Twins have lost seven of their last eight day games against American League opponents following a win.
• The Twins have covered the run line nine of their last 10 day games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Twins have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last eight day games against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
• The Twins have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four day games against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last four games between the Astros and Twins at Target Field.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Minnesota Twins rank 30th in the league for strikeouts against this season (1654).
• The Minnesota Twins rank 1st in the league for strikeouts this season (1560).
• The Houston Astros rank 3rd in the league for hits this season (1441).
• The Houston Astros rank 3rd in the league for strikeouts against this season (1241).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to take a stab on the Twins in this one, but you could make a case either way. Gray finished off the season on a strong run, posting just two earned in 17.0 innings over his last three starts on 12 hits and one walk. Gray also logged a nice appearance versus Toronto last Wednesday with 5.0 innings, zero earned, five hits, two walks and six Ks in a victory. As for Javier, he’s got 15.2 innings with four earned runs over his last three starts, going 1-1 in that time. If both starters are on I expect this one to be a close, low-scoring affair. The Twins have given up two or fewer runs in three of their four postseason games so far, and I like them to power out another win here to take back the series lead. Should be a good one.