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Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros MLB Picks, Odds, Predictions 8/5/2021

Minnesota Twins (45-62) vs. Houston Astros (65-42)
August 5, 2021 8:10 pm EDT
The Line: Houston Astros -260 / Minnesota Twins +233; Over/Under: +9
(Get latest betting odds)

The Minnesota Twins and the Houston Astros meet Thursday in MLB action from Minute Maid Park. Minnesota is coming off a pair of games versus the Reds this week. The Twins won the Tuesday matchup, then on Wednesday Minnesota fell in a tough result. As for the Astros, they played a pair versus the Dodgers in their last set. Houston won in a shutout Tuesday, then in the Wednesday matchup the Astros lost by two runs. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Minnesota notched a 7-5 win over the Reds on Tuesday thanks to three runs in both the fifth and ninth innings. In the Wednesday game, the Twins had a valiant comeback effort with four runs in the eighth but ultimately fell 6-5. Minnesota gave up four runs in the third to dig themselves an early hole.

For the starter job in the Thursday opener, the Twins are sending out Griffin Jax. Over his seven games (three starts) so far this year, Jax has a 1-1 record with a 6.41 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 26.2 innings of work. 

Over on the Astros’ side, they managed a 3-0 shutout win over the Dodgers on Tuesday, out-hitting LA 8-5. In the Wednesday game, Houston gave up seven runs in the first three innings in a 7-5 defeat. Jake Odorizzi put up 3.0 frames with six earned on six hits and two walks. 

For the starting pitcher slot in the Thursday game, the Astros will send out Framber Valdez. Across a 7-2 record so far this year, Valdez has a 3.01 ERA and 66 strikeouts to his credit. 

The Twins are 5-2 in their last seven in game one of a series and 9-19 in their last 28 versus the AL West. Minnesota is 3-7 in their last 10 Thursday games and 5-12 in their last 17 road games. 

Meanwhile, the Astros are 13-4 in their last 17 Thursday games and 81-33 in their last 114 in game one of a series. Houston is 58-24 in their last 82 versus the AL Central and 38-18 in the last 56 overall. 

PICK: I’m going to stick with Houston. Jax had an ugly outing versus the Royals back on July 3, posting six earned on eight hits and three walks in 5.0 innings for the loss. The good news is that since then Jax has posted 9.0 innings over two starts, with two earned runs on three hits and three walks. I like Jax to pitch fairly well here also, but I don’t think Minnesota will leave him in there for longer than five innings or so. 

Andrew's Free Pick: Houston Astros -260

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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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