Can Seattle Beat Minnesota in the MLB Odds on Thursday Night?

Can Seattle Beat Minnesota in the MLB Odds on Thursday Night?

Written by on June 14, 2017

It’s a series finale on Thursday afternoon from Target Field as the Seattle Mariners play their final game of the season in the Twin Cities. With the day game coming after a night one, you could see a few regulars on either side get it off. The series currently stands at 1-1, with Game 3 being played tonight. The Twins will be MLB betting favorites.

Seattle at Minnesota MLB Expert Preview & Betting Info

When: Thursday, June 15, 1:10 PM ET Where: Target Field, Minneapolis Probable pitchers (away/home): Ariel Miranda/Jose Berrios TV: MLB Network Stream: MLB.tv RadioSeattle / Minnesota Opening MLB Lines: Twins favored TBA

Why Bet On Seattle?

The Mariners could make a bit of a surge now that good-looking rookie outfielder Mitch Haniger is back. He finished 4-for- 6 with a double, two RBI and four runs scored as the Mariners crushed the Twins 14-3 on Monday. It was just Haniger’s second game back after he missed a month and a half with a strained oblique. He’s scored 24 runs and driven in 18 in his 23 games played this year. Seattle is still without AL leading hitter Jean Segura due to an ankle injury. The shortstop still felt some soreness in his right ankle when going to his right while fielding grounders on Monday, but he’s still been given the go-ahead to test things out with some running. It’s going to be a few weeks before he returns even if all goes well. Segura was batting .341/.391/.462 with four home runs and seven stolen bases through his first 43 games this season. Segura recently agreed to a five-year, $70 million contract extension with Seattle and has been traveling with his Mariners teammates. It’s Cuban lefty Ariel Miranda (6-2, 3.67) on the bump. Miranda took a no-decision after allowing two runs on two hits (one homer) and five walks with two strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings Saturday vs. the Blue Jays. “I didn’t think Miranda was quite as sharp as he was last time out,” Manager Scott Servais said. “Walks hurt him a little bit there. But he battled, he hung in there.” While Miranda has benefited from a .230 BABIP, he has posted an encouraging 29 percent hard-contact rate and a solid 10 percent swinging-strike rate so far in 2017. He is taking a big step forward, but outings such as this are expected as he continues his development. Miranda still has a 3-0 record with a 2.17 ERA in his last six starts. Minnesota vs Washington MLB Odds Analysis

Why Bet On Minnesota?

After Monday’s ugly loss to Seattle, the Twins made a move. They optioned RHP Alex Wimmers to Triple-A Rochester. Wimmers gave up a run in a relief appearance Monday and has allowed three tallies over five games with the big club this season. Ryan Pressly is replacing him in the bullpen. Pressly began the season in a setup role but was demoted following an 8.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 18 innings. Twins relievers have a collective 5.55 ERA, by far the worst in the major leagues. The Twins have used 17 different pitchers out of the bullpen through 60 games this season, including five appearances by backup catcher Chris Gimenez. Joe Mauer has reached safely in 14 straight against the Mariners, leading back to 2015. He is hitting .323 (96-for-297) with 25 doubles, nine home runs, 47 RBI, 50 runs scored and a .420 on-base percentage against the M’s. His .323 average is second-best in baseball among actives, trailing only Jose Altuve (.329). Mauer’s .420 on-base percentage is best among actives and 10th best all-time. It’s rookie Jose Berrios (5-1, 2.84) on the mound. Berrios struck out eight batters over 5 1/3 strong innings and was backed by homers from Kennys Vargas and Brian Dozier to lead the Twins to a 3-2 win over the Giants on Saturday. Berrios didn’t have his best command, walking three and hitting a batter, but surrendered two runs on six hits. He served up a solo homer to Brandon Belt in the first and allowed a run in the fifth on an RBI groundout from Buster Posey. Berrios ran into trouble in the third, loading the bases with one out after walks to Belt and Posey. But Berrios rallied back, striking out Brandon Crawford swinging on a 3-2 fastball and Hunter Pence looking on a curveball. The 23-year-old righty has benefited from some good batted-ball luck (.231 BABIP) this season.

Seattle at Minnesota MLB Betting Pick: Minnesota Twins

The Mariners have never seen Berrios, while Miranda has an ERA north of 5.00 on the road.