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(MLB) Houston vs. Minnesota,
Money Line: -155.00 Houston (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -155.00 Houston (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up:The Astros beat the Twins 2-0 on Monday but Minnesota rebounded with a 4-1 victory Tuesday over Houston to even the series at a game apiece. The rubber match of this three-game series goes Wednesday and the afternoon start may make conditions a little better (warmer), as the teams played in frigid conditions last night with temperatures in the 30s. Minnesota is just a modest 5-4 on the young season but the Twins have yet to lose a series this season. They can keep that streak intact this afternoon with a win. The 9-3 Astros averaged 7.00 RPG during a five-game winning streak from March 31 through April 4 but Houston comes into this contest having scored only nine runs over its the past five games
The pitching matchup: The Astros will send Lance McCullers Jr. (1-1, 3.48 ERA) to the mound and he will be opposed by the Twins' Kyle Gibson (1-0, 0.87 ERA). McCullers turned in a strong performance in winning his season debut, striking out 10 and allowing two runs over 5 1/3 innings at Texas but he took the loss with five innings of three-run ball against San Diego on Friday. McCullers hasn't faced the Tiwns since was a rookie in 2015 and will come into this game 0-1 with a 2.77 ERA in two career starts versus Minnesota. Gibson struggled with his control but otherwise was unhittable in his season debut, tossing six scoreless innings and not allowing a single hit to earn the win at Baltimore. He then gave up two first-inning runs in his second start of 2018 against Seattle and seven hits over 4 1/3 innings, as the Twins beat the Mariners 4-2 (Gibson settled for a no-decision). Gibson is 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA against the Astros but that one loss came last season when he gave up four runs in six innings.
The pick: The Astros' bats have been quiet lately but there is noihing wrong with their pitching staff. Houston's owns MLB's lowest team ERA at 2.02, including a 2.19 ERA from its bullpen (6th-best). Most will remember McCullers' strong efforts in last year's ALCS and World Series, when he made four appearances, going 1-0 with a save and an ERA of 2.04. Gibson's 65 starts are the most in Target Field history but now in his sixth season, he's still just 45-48 overall, with a 4.64 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. I say Houston takes the series and I'll make the Astros an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: The Astros will send Lance McCullers Jr. (1-1, 3.48 ERA) to the mound and he will be opposed by the Twins' Kyle Gibson (1-0, 0.87 ERA). McCullers turned in a strong performance in winning his season debut, striking out 10 and allowing two runs over 5 1/3 innings at Texas but he took the loss with five innings of three-run ball against San Diego on Friday. McCullers hasn't faced the Tiwns since was a rookie in 2015 and will come into this game 0-1 with a 2.77 ERA in two career starts versus Minnesota. Gibson struggled with his control but otherwise was unhittable in his season debut, tossing six scoreless innings and not allowing a single hit to earn the win at Baltimore. He then gave up two first-inning runs in his second start of 2018 against Seattle and seven hits over 4 1/3 innings, as the Twins beat the Mariners 4-2 (Gibson settled for a no-decision). Gibson is 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA against the Astros but that one loss came last season when he gave up four runs in six innings.
The pick: The Astros' bats have been quiet lately but there is noihing wrong with their pitching staff. Houston's owns MLB's lowest team ERA at 2.02, including a 2.19 ERA from its bullpen (6th-best). Most will remember McCullers' strong efforts in last year's ALCS and World Series, when he made four appearances, going 1-0 with a save and an ERA of 2.04. Gibson's 65 starts are the most in Target Field history but now in his sixth season, he's still just 45-48 overall, with a 4.64 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. I say Houston takes the series and I'll make the Astros an 8* play.
