In this article we will formulate a Twins vs Braves prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, August 18th at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Minnesota Twins Betting Preview
The Minnesota Twins are 61-65 this season after they won game one by a score of 4-2 on Monday night. Minnesota scored four runs in the first inning for the win, but failed to score in the last seven innings. The Twins recorded 10 hits in the game and they were led by Bell, who went 2-3 with two RBIs. Ober allowed six hits and two earned runs over 4.1 innings, while Adams got the win and Gomez picked up the save. Prior to this series, Minnesota lost all three against the Phillies, but did win two out of three against the Orioles before that.
This season, Minnesota has a 4.65 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP and a .252 opponent batting average, while they have scored 582 runs with a .245 batting average and a .320 on base percentage. Byron Buxton has led the Twins with 25 home runs and 45 RBIs, while Josh Bell has added 16 home runs and 74 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Minnesota is Zebby Matthews, who is 6-8 with a 5.34 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP over 91.0 innings pitched this season.
Atlanta Braves Betting Preview
The Atlanta Braves are 74-51 this year after they lost game one by a score of 2-4 last night. Atlanta cut the deficit to 4-2 in the fifth inning, but couldn’t find anymore offense for the loss. The Braves recorded seven hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Acuna Jr, who went 1-4 with two RBIs. Perez allowed nine hits and four earned runs over 5.0 innings for the loss, while Kerr threw 1.1 innings in relief. Prior to this series, Atlanta lost two out of three against the Diamondbacks, but did win two out of three against the Mets before that.
This season, Atlanta has a 3.64 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and a .230 opponent batting average, while they have scored 601 runs with a .247 batting average and a .312 on base percentage. Matt Olson has led the Braves with 36 home runs and 77 RBIs, while Drake Baldwin has added 20 home runs and 62 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Atlanta is Tyler Mahle, who is 4-9 with a 4.64 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP over 106.2 innings pitched this year.
Why the Minnesota Twins will win
- The Braves have lost each of their last four games as favorites against AL Central opponents.
- The Twins have won four of their last five games as underdogs following a home win.
- The Braves have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games as road favorites.
- The Twins have covered the run line in 11 of their last 12 games as underdogs after playing the previous day.
- The Braves have lost the first inning in four of their last five road games against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- The Braves have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four night games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Braves have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four night games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
Why the Atlanta Braves will win
- The Braves have won 11 of their last 12 games against the Twins.
- The Twins have lost 13 of their last 15 night games against NL East opponents following a win.
- The Braves have covered the run line in seven of their last eight night games against AL Central opponents following a road loss.
- The Twins have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five night games at Target Field following a win.
- The Braves have led after 3 innings in five of their last six games at Target Field.
- The Twins have trailed after 5 innings in three of their last four night games.
Total Runs Facts
- Five of the Braves’ last six road games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Four of the Twins’ last five games as underdogs against NL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in 12 of the Twins’ last 13 games against National League opponents.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in seven of the Braves’ last eight road games against American League opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Twins rank 26th in the league for ERA this season (4.65).
- The Twins rank 26th in the league for runs allowed this season (628).
- The Braves rank 29th in the league for triples this season (9).
- The Braves rank 28th in the league for walks this season (365).
Twins vs Braves Prediction
Minnesota was able to snap their losing streak with a win on Monday in game one, but they allowed 28 runs in the previous four games. The Twins are 33-31 at home this year, while the Braves are 32-28 on the road. Atlanta has also lost three of their last four games and they have scored three or fewer in three of those four. The Braves are starting Mahle, who has allowed one earned run in his last 12.0 innings, while Matthews has allowed 3+ earned runs in four of his last five outings. Take the Braves here.