The Texas Rangers are moving into a new ballpark next year, so this weekend’s series for the Minnesota Twins will be their last-ever visit to Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers are underdogs for Thursday’s matchup on the MLB Odds.
How to Bet Twins vs Rangers MLB Spread & Game Info
- When: Thursday, 8:05 PM ET
- Where: Globe Life Park in Arlington
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Devin Smeltzer/Pedro Payano
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- Radio: SiriusXM
- MLB Spread: Minnesota Twins -1.5 (Total 11.5)
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Weather Forecast
- Sunny: 36°C/96°F
- Humidity: 35%
- Precipitation: 0%
- Cloud Cover: 1%
- Wind: 8 mph ESE
- Stadium Type: Open
Why Bet on Minnesota?
Some good news for the Twins on Tuesday in that reliever and trade acquisition Sam Dyson retired all three batters he faced and earned a hold in his return from the injured list. Though Dyson was horrible in two appearances before landing on the IL, the Twins went with him in a big situation and he retired Keston Hiura, Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun in order in the eighth.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said this week that outfielder that Byron Buxton is getting close to facing live pitching. Buxton has been on the injured list since August 3 because of a left shoulder subluxation — or partial dislocation. It sounds like he is still trending toward a late-August or early-September return.
Since July 25, the Twins lead all of baseball with a .372 average and a 1.150 OPS with runners in scoring position. For the season, the Twins own an .855 OPS with RISP, fourth-best in baseball. It is also their best team-mark in history (since 1961), 29 points higher than the 2008 club (.826).
Devin Smeltzer pitches for the Twins. Smeltzer (1-2) took the loss Friday in a 6-2 loss to Cleveland, coughing up six runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.1 innings while striking out four. The rookie southpaw took a 1-0 lead into the fifth inning before falling apart, and the end result was perhaps Smeltzer’s worst big-league start to date. He now sports a 3.66 ERA and 25:8 K:BB through 32 innings with the Twins, and his status in the rotation will depend on how quickly Michael Pineda recovers from his triceps injury.
Pineda appears to be close to making his return after a successful bullpen session on Tuesday. The right-hander went on the 10-day injured list on with a right triceps strain. “I think he’s physically doing very well,” Baldelli said. “His bullpen went well. I think we’re looking to slot him back in, and I don’t know exactly when it’s going to be, but he should be ready to go. I think, physically, he’s doing great.”
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 5.73
- Hits: 9.55
- Walks: 3.15
- Strike Outs: 8.12
- Runs: 4.65
- Hits: 8.82
- Walks: 2.88
- Strike Outs: 8.74
Why Bet on Texas?
The Rangers avoided a three-game sweep in Toronto with a 7-4 win Wednesday. Texas has gone 1-9-3 in its last 13 series, which included a 9-series winless span that was longest winless span since 10 series (0-8-2) from 5/23-6/26/03.
Nomar Mazara slugged his 17th home run as part of a two-hit performance. Mazara doubled and scored in the second inning, then went for the jugular with a leadoff homer in the seventh. Mazara, who is still just 24, is closing in on his fourth straight 20-homer campaign. Five of his 17 round-trippers this year have come since the All-Star break.
Danny Santana chipped in with three RBI Wednesday. It’s been a productive second-half for Santana, who has cruised to a .331 average with 10 homers and 25 RBI since the All-Star break. Elvis Andrus had a monster day offensively, pacing the Rangers with four hits. Andrus notched three singles, a double and two steals. His 25 thefts this season rank fifth in the majors behind only league-leader Mallex Smith (32), Adalberto Mondesi (31), Ronald Acuna (28) and Jonathan Villar (26).
The Rangers start Pedro Payano. The 24-year-old right-hander is scheduled to make the 6th appearance and 4th start of his MLB career in Thursday’s homestand opener.
Payano has struggled while part of the Rangers’ rotation, pitching to a 4.97 ERA and 2.132 WHIP over three starts. In his previous start Saturday, he lasted just three innings with nine of the 17 batters he faced reaching base. He’ll get at least two more outings as a starter — Thursday’s start and as part of a doubleheader Aug. 20 against the Angels. He has held left-handed hitters to a .206 average but right-handers are hitting .371 off him. Payano will be his 2nd game/1st start against the Twins, also his ML debut on 7/6 at MIN (1.0 IP, 1 BB).
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 5.10
- Hits: 8.49
- Walks: 3.35
- Strike Outs: 9.92
- Runs: 5.26
- Hits: 9.29
- Walks: 3.50
- Strike Outs: 8.55
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Twins vs Rangers MLB Betting Trends
- Twins are 7-1 in their last 8 during game 1 of a series
- Rangers are 5-0 in their last 5 Thursday games
- Over is 8-1-1 in Rangers last 10 home games
- Twins are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games played in August
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 6 games on the road
- Rangers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games against an opponent in the American League
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of Texas’ last 10 games at home
Expert Final Score Prediction for Twins vs Rangers
Minnesota Twins 5 – Texas Rangers 6
