The Pittsburgh Pirates were projected as one of the NL’s worst teams this season and have been so far. The Minnesota Twins were projected as one of the AL’s best teams and look the part. The teams open a two-game set in the Twin Cities on Monday with the Twins heavily favored on the baseball betting odds. There won’t be a series line because it’s only a two-game set.
Pirates vs Twins – MLB Odds & Picks
How to Bet Pirates at Twins MLB Odds & TV Info- When: Monday, 8:10 PM ET
- Where: Target Field
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Derek Holland/Rich Hill
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Stream/gameday audio: https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/
- Opening MLB Lines: Twins -255, Pirates +205
The Pirates last played at Target Field in 2018 and lost both games to the Twins (August 14-15). The Bucs won both of their games played in Minnesota in 2015 and have gone 6-10 overall in Minneapolis since interleague play began in 1997.
The Pirates enter on a four-game losing streak, swept of the weekend at the Chicago Cubs. It was 2-1 in 11 innings on Sunday. Javier Baez singled through a drawn-in infield in the 11th inning, scoring David Bote from third base. Chicago has won 10 straight games against Pittsburgh at Wrigley Field.
Kevin Newman went 2-for-4 with a homer on Sunday. Newman was 1-for-20 this season entering the game. He went yard off of Jon Lester; the only run Lester allowed in the game. Reliever Chad Kuhl was removed from Sunday’s game due to “an abrasion to the cuticle of the right index finger.” Kuhl was charged with one earned run on two hits and one walk over 1 1/3 innings.
The Bucs remain without close Keone Kela, but he has been cleared by doctors to return to workouts. Kela first tested positive for COVID-19 back in late June and has finally attained the required two negative tests. He would figure to need a good length of time to ramp things up.
It’s veteran lefty Derek Holland (0-0, 3.18) on the bump). His first start in a Pirates uniform was a no-decision in an 8-6 win over the Brewers last Tuesday night at PNC Park (5.2ip/2h/2r/2er/3bb/5so). He was signed as a minor league free agent on 1/31 after splitting the 2019 season between the Giants and Cubs. Holland posted an 8.10 ERA in his eight starts last season (seven with SF).
In his career vs. Minnesota, Holland is 3-7 with a 5.56 ERA (68.0ip/42er) in 14 games (13 starts). He has not faced the Twins since suffering a loss in a starting role with the White Sox on 8/30/17 at Target Field. Holland has lost five of his last six decisions to the Twins; picking up his last win on 8/24/17 while with the Chicago White Sox. Holland is 0-5 with a 7.98 ERA (29.1ip/26er) while pitching against the Twins in Minnesota.
Why Bet on Minnesota?The Twins won their third in a row Sunday, 3-1 over Cleveland. Mitch Garver hit his first home run of the season, Max Kepler doubled and scored in each of his first two at-bats, and Jorge Polanco and Nelson Cruz drove him in with singles in the first and third. The Twins allowed only four runs over the four games in the series, winning three of them to raise their record to 7-2 — their best start since 2001. Sergio Romo picked up his second save in as many attempts with a perfect ninth. The defending American League Central champion Twins have outscored their opponents 28-8 over the first three innings this year.
The Twins went 2-for-4 with runners in scoring position in today’s win and are batting .320 (16-for-50) in scoring situations on the yea. Minnesota leads the American League in batting average with RISP and entered today fourth in the majors.
Third baseman and former AL MVP Josh Donaldson (calf) remained out of the Twins’ lineup Sunday. Donaldson had to depart Friday’s game with tightness in his right calf.
It’s right-hander Lewis Thorpe on the mound. Thorpe, the Twins’ No. 10 prospect, will make his third appearance and first start of the season in Monday’s series opener. He has allowed three hits in 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief in 2020. Thorpe has pitched three times in his career vs. the Indians, going 1-0, 8.10 ERA (6.2 IP, 6 ER) w/ 8 K, 2 HR and 4 BB. He is 1-2, 5.13 ERA (26.1 IP, 15 ER) w/ 10 walks & 26 strikeouts in 12 games (2 starts) vs. AL Central teams.
The Twins pitching staff owns a 0.80 ERA (45.0 IP, 4 ER), 14 walks, 45 strikeouts and a .128 opponent batting average (19-for-149) over the last five games. In addition, the club’s relief corps has a 0.96 ERA (28.0 IP, 3 ER) in six home games this season, including Tyler Clippard’s 2.0 innings of work as the Opener Sunday.
Game Trends- Over is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in Minnesota.
- Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
- Pirates are 8-2 in their last 10 interleague games as an underdog.
- Pirates are 4-1 in their last 5 interleague road games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Twins are 39-18 in their last 57 during game 1 of a series.
- Twins are 66-32 in their last 98 games as a home favorite.
