Houston Astros vs Minnesota Twins Analysis<\/h2>\n
The Houston Astros host the Minnesota Twins Thursday night in the finale of their three game series. The home team took the first two games and are looking for the sweep.<\/p>\n
Right-handers Chris Archer and Luis Garcia are your starters, and first pitch in Minute Maid Park is scheduled for 8:10 PM EDT. The Astros have won seven of their last 11 games and have the best record in the American League, while the Twins are 4.0 games behind Seattle for the third and final wild card spot.<\/p>\n
Minnesota hasn’t played well as of late, and their problems were compounded when Byron Buxton left Monday’s game with a hip injury, and will be out indefinitely.<\/p>\n
Twins Tumbling Down The AL Central<\/h3>\n
Chris Archer isn’t the pitcher he used to be, but he’s been a serviceable starter for the Twins in 2022. In 21 starts and 87.1 innings, the veteran right-hander has a 4.02 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.<\/p>\n
While he’s not an innings eater – averaging just over 4.0 innings per start – Archer can usually get through an opposing lineup twice with minimal damage. In 10 of his last 12 starts, he’s given up just three earned runs or less.<\/p>\n
The Twins are 10th in team OPS, 19th in staff ERA and 15th in bullpen ERA. They’ve been a streaky team as of late, losing their last five games and winning four in a row before their current streak.<\/p>\n
Garcia Goes For Astros<\/h3>\n\nLuis Garcia is probably the weakest link in the Astros starting rotation, but still has posted decent numbers this season. In 22 starts and 132 innings, the right-hander has a 4.09 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP with 127 strikeouts.<\/p>\n
In his last seven starts and 40.2 innings, he’s posted a 4.65 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. And he doesn’t pitch nearly as well at Minute Maid Park as he does on the road, with a 4.88 ERA compared to a 3.26 road ERA – and 11 starts both home and away.<\/p>\n
Garcia has faced the Twins once this season, back on May 12th in Minnesota. He went 5.0 shutout innings, allowing five hits with two walks and nine strikeouts, and his only good month this season was in May, where he posted a 2.33 ERA. Every other month his ERA has been over 4.00, and in four starts and 24.0 innings in August, his ERA is up to 5.25 with a 1.58 WHIP.<\/p>\n
The Astros are the American League version of the Dodgers – with a solid lineup and pitching rotation, and very few weaknesses. Houston has the 6th best team OPS, plus 2nd best staff and bullpen ERA.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Houston Astros vs Minnesota Twins Prediction<\/h2>\n\nThis is a bit of a tricky handicap as Archer is in better current form than Garcia, but the Astros are a better hitting lineup. Houston is 11th in OPS against righties the last 30 days, while the Twins are 21st.<\/p>\n
I think both lineups could touch up both starters for at least 2-3 runs, that’s why I like the 1st 5 innings over 4.5 total runs scored.<\/p>\n
Prediction: 1st 5 Innings Over 4.5 Total Runs Scored<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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First Pitch | MLB Predictions for Thursday, August 25<\/h3>\n
Join Drew Martin and a rotating panel of guests for First Pitch as we break down the daily baseball slate from a betting perspective. Join WagerTalk’s team of MLB betting experts every weekday at 1:45pm ET \/ 10:45am PT for First Pitch as we discuss the baseball betting slate.<\/p>\n
![\"MLB](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/J_asxdheSq0\/maxresdefault.jpg\")
Luis Garcia is probably the weakest link in the Astros starting rotation, but still has posted decent numbers this season. In 22 starts and 132 innings, the right-hander has a 4.09 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP with 127 strikeouts.<\/p>\n
In his last seven starts and 40.2 innings, he’s posted a 4.65 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. And he doesn’t pitch nearly as well at Minute Maid Park as he does on the road, with a 4.88 ERA compared to a 3.26 road ERA – and 11 starts both home and away.<\/p>\n
Garcia has faced the Twins once this season, back on May 12th in Minnesota. He went 5.0 shutout innings, allowing five hits with two walks and nine strikeouts, and his only good month this season was in May, where he posted a 2.33 ERA. Every other month his ERA has been over 4.00, and in four starts and 24.0 innings in August, his ERA is up to 5.25 with a 1.58 WHIP.<\/p>\n
The Astros are the American League version of the Dodgers – with a solid lineup and pitching rotation, and very few weaknesses. Houston has the 6th best team OPS, plus 2nd best staff and bullpen ERA.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Houston Astros vs Minnesota Twins Prediction<\/h2>\n\nThis is a bit of a tricky handicap as Archer is in better current form than Garcia, but the Astros are a better hitting lineup. Houston is 11th in OPS against righties the last 30 days, while the Twins are 21st.<\/p>\n
I think both lineups could touch up both starters for at least 2-3 runs, that’s why I like the 1st 5 innings over 4.5 total runs scored.<\/p>\n
Prediction: 1st 5 Innings Over 4.5 Total Runs Scored<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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First Pitch | MLB Predictions for Thursday, August 25<\/h3>\n
Join Drew Martin and a rotating panel of guests for First Pitch as we break down the daily baseball slate from a betting perspective. Join WagerTalk’s team of MLB betting experts every weekday at 1:45pm ET \/ 10:45am PT for First Pitch as we discuss the baseball betting slate.<\/p>\n
This is a bit of a tricky handicap as Archer is in better current form than Garcia, but the Astros are a better hitting lineup. Houston is 11th in OPS against righties the last 30 days, while the Twins are 21st.<\/p>\n
I think both lineups could touch up both starters for at least 2-3 runs, that’s why I like the 1st 5 innings over 4.5 total runs scored.<\/p>\n
Prediction: 1st 5 Innings Over 4.5 Total Runs Scored<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n Join Drew Martin and a rotating panel of guests for First Pitch as we break down the daily baseball slate from a betting perspective. Join WagerTalk’s team of MLB betting experts every weekday at 1:45pm ET \/ 10:45am PT for First Pitch as we discuss the baseball betting slate.<\/p>\nFirst Pitch | MLB Predictions for Thursday, August 25<\/h3>\n