MLB Picks

MLB Picks: Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros Wild Card 9/30/20


2020-09-30 13:08:00 EDT

The Houston Astros and the Minnesota Twins meet Wednesday in MLB Wild Card Round action from Target Field. 

This will be Game 2 of a best-of-three American League playoffs series between the Astros and the Twins this week. In the set opener on Tuesday, the Astros broke a 1-1 tie with three runs in the top of the ninth inning, holding on for a 4-1 Houston victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks and MLB predictions at Sports Chat Place. 

The Astros out-hit the Twins 8-4 in the Tuesday victory, but were trailing 1-0 going into the seventh inning and couldn’t get much going on the scoreboard until the ninth. Michael Brantley was the only Houston hitter with multiple knocks, going 2-for-5 with two RBI. Starting pitcher Zack Greinke went 4.0 innings with two hits, one earned, three walks and a strikeout. 

On Wednesday, Houston will send out Jose Urquidy in the starting role. This season in five starts, Urquidy is 1-1 with a 2.73 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 29.2 innings. Over his career, Urquidy is 3-2 with a 3.44 ERA in 14 games and 12 starts overall. 

Over on the Twins’ side, Tuesday starting pitcher Kenta Maeda went 5.0 innings with tow hits, three walks and five strikeouts in a no-decision. Nelson Cruz was the only Minnesota batter with an extra-base hit, posting a double and an RBI. 

For Wednesday’s Game 2 starting pitcher role, the Twins are going with Jose Berrios. Over 12 starts in 2020, Berrios went 5-4 with a 4.00 ERA and 68 Ks in 63.0 innings. In his MLB playoffs career, Barrios is 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA and 10 Ks in 7.0 innings. 

The Astros are 4-0 in their last four playoff road games and 42-14 in their last 57 versus the AL Central. Houston is 3-7 in their last 10 Wednesday games and 5-11 in their last 16 versus a right-handed starter. 

Meanwhile, the Twins are 5-1 in their last six versus the AL West and 4-1 in their last five during game two of a series. Minnesota is 5-2 in the last seven overall and 31-7 in their last 28 home games. 

Pick: I’m going to stick with the Twins here. This one’s pretty close, though. Berrios gave up four earned on five hits and two homers his last time up, but he’s been pretty good about not giving up the long ball lately. Berrios also has two or fewer walks in each of his last five games, and he’s 3-1 during that time. If Minnesota can get a quality start in this one and keep the big plays to a minimum I like the Twins to eke one out. Should be an exciting game. 

Andrew's Free Pick: Minnesota Twins -155

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Andrew

Andrew has been writing about college, professional and fantasy sports betting since 2013. Andrew's goal is to break down the complicated numbers and trends into a language that's easily accessible to novice sports bettors and seasoned professionals alike.

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