In this article, we will formulate an Astros vs Twins prediction for this MLB game on Friday, June 13, at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Minnesota Twins Betting Preview
The Minnesota Twins (36-32, 16-20 Away) lost back-to-back series to the Blue Jays and Rangers, and now have lost five of the previous seven games. In the most recent 16-3 defeat to Texas in the rubber match, Bailey Ober took the loss after allowing seven runs on six hits with three strikeouts and six walks in 4.2 innings.
This season, the Twins’ average 4.25 runs per game (18th in the MLB) on a .244/.316/.390 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Twins’ staff has a 3.83 ERA (15th) and 1.21 WHIP (9th). Byron Buxton leads the Twins with a .276 batting average, 11 home runs, and 41 RBI this season.
Chris Paddack will take the mound for the Twins on Friday. The 29-year-old left-hander has a 2-5 record in 13 starts this year with a 3.53 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 71.1 innings.
Houston Astros Betting Preview
The Houston Astros (38-30, 24-13 Home) are unbeaten in the previous six series; they beat the Mariners, Athletics, split with the Rays, and defeated the Pirates, Guardians, and White Sox. Houston lost Game 1 against the White Sox, but bounced back and won the next two, including the rubber match on Thursday, when they won 4-3. Jose Altuve led the offense with two RBI, while Framber Valdez got the win after allowing two runs on seven hits with 12 strikeouts and one walk across 5.0 innings of work.
This year, the Astros average 4.07 runs per game (22nd in the MLB) on a .254/.319/.392 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Astros’ staff has a 3.50 ERA (7th) and 1.16 WHIP (2nd). Isaac Paredes leads the Astros with a .255 batting average, 15 home runs, and 42 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Astros is Colton Gordon, who is 1-1 in five starts this season, with a 5.11 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 24.2 innings.
Why the Twins will beat the Astros
- The Twins have won eight of their last nine games as road underdogs against AL West opponents following a loss.
- The Astros have lost five of their last six games as home favorites against the Twins following a win.
- The Twins have covered the run line in each of their last nine games as road underdogs against AL West opponents following a loss.
- The Astros have failed to cover the run line each of their last four home games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Twins have led after 3 innings in three of their last four night games against American League opponents.
- The Twins have led after 5 innings in each of their last three night games against the Astros at Daikin Park.
Total Runs Facts
- Six of the Twins’ last seven games against American League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Four of the Astros’ last five home games against AL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Astros’ last nine games as favorites against AL Central opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Twins’ last seven Friday night games.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Astros rank T1st in the league for hits allowed this season (486).
- The Astros rank T4th in the league for strikeouts against this season (517).
- The Twins are one of only four teams in the league to rank top 10 in both strikeouts and walks allowed this season.
- The Twins rank 22nd in the league for walks this season (204).
Astros vs Twins Prediction
The teams have traded victories in the past couple of years, each recording five in the previous ten H2H encounters. This season, Houston won two out of three H2H meetings when they faced in Minneapolis. I am going with the Twins in this one because Chris Paddack has been lights out lately. He posted a 2.40 ERA in May and continued with strong displays in June, allowing three runs in his previous two starts. Paddack hasn’t allowed more than two runs in his last six starts. Colton Gordon, on the other hand, is starting mainly because Houston has a lot of injured pitchers. Gordon surrendered 3+ runs in four of his five starts, and I am backing the Twins to score 3+ off him in this one and cruise to the win.