MLB Twins vs. Tigers Odds and Prediction for Monday’s Game

Are the Minnesota Twins pulling away atop the AL Central Division? That appears to be the case as they are on a four-game winning streak and lead by 4.5 games. Detroit has been a disappointment this season but has been more competitive of late. The Tigers can play spoilers of sorts this week as the teams open a series Monday at Comerica Park. With that in mind, let’s see the analysis so you can bet against the MLB odds.

Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers | 2023 MLB Expert Analysis

MLB Week 18: Monday August 7 – Sunday August 13, 2023

How to Bet Minnesota at Detroit MLB Odds & TV Info

When: Monday, 6:40 PM ET
Where: Comerica Park
Probable pitchers (away/home): Pablo Lopez/Joey Wentz
TV: MLB Extra Innings
Stream/gameday audio: https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/
Opening MLB Lines: Twins -160, Tigers +140 (Total 8.5)

Why Bet on Minnesota?

The Twins won their fourth in a row Sunday, 5-3 over visiting Arizona to complete the sweep. It was Minnesota’s sixth sweep of the year, also: March 30-April 2 at Kansas City (3 games), June 13-14 vs. Milwaukee (2 games), July 3-5 vs. Kansas City (3 games), July 14-16 at Oakland (3 games) and July 21-23 vs. Chicago-AL (3 games). Last season, they swept opponents eight times.

After Max Kepler’s homer tied the game Sunday, Matt Wallner hit a two-run walkoff blast Sunday. The Diamondbacks took a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth, but Paul Sewald gave it up quickly, surrendering Kepler’s homer to open the ninth. After a Jorge Polanco walk, Wallner won the game with a 415-foot shot to center.

Outfielder Alex Kirilloff received a cortisone injection in his right shoulder on July 31 and remains in the “resting and strengthening” phase of his recovery. Kirilloff landed on the injured list after injuring his shoulder making a diving play in a game on July 25. He remains without a clear timetable for his return. Kirilloff was having an excellent season, slashing .270/.357/.442 with eight homers across 258 plate appearances.

Former All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton is on the IL as well. he Twins expect Buxton to be shut down for about two weeks before evaluating his progress after he sustained the hamstring strain while legging out a double during the Twins’ series opener on Aug. 1 in St. Louis.

It’s right-hander Pablo Lopez on the mound Monday. Lopez (6-6) picked up the win in last Tuesday’s 3-2 victory over the Cardinals, allowing one run on four hits over six innings. He struck out five without walking a batter. It was Lopez’s second straight quality start and 13th of the season, blanking St. Louis through five frames and allowing only one baserunner before giving up three singles in the sixth. Lopez has a 3.22 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 55:10 K:BB through 44.2 innings over his last seven outings.

Lopez is facing the Tigers for the second time this season. He took the loss despite recording a quality start on June 24 at Detroit in the Twins’ 3-2 defeat, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing three runs on seven hits, with one walk and 10 strikeouts. Lopez is 3-4, 3.39 ERA (71.2 IP, 27 ER) with 19 walks and 85 strikeouts in 12 road starts this year.

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Why Bet on Detroit?

The Tigers come off a 10-6 home loss against Tampa Bay on Sunday with a chance to win the series. Tigers starter Matt Manning allowed eight runs in 5 2/3 innings, giving him 19 runs in his last three starts. Kerry Carpenter went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and three runs scored in Sunday’s loss. It was his first three-hit effort since June 18 and had first homer since July 15. Carpenter now has a hit in three straight and has totaled six hits over that span.

Spencer Torkelson went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and two runs scored Sunday. Torkelson ended on 0-for-13 skid at the plate with a double to lead off the fourth inning. The 23-year-old has cooled off considerably since returning from the All-Star break and is hitting .204/.306/.315 with one home run, seven RBI, five runs and an 8:15 BB:K in his last 15 games. Despite hitting only one home run since July 23, Torkelson still leads the team with 15.

Shortstop Javier Baez was scratched from both Saturday’s and Sunday’s game due to a recent death in his family. The 30-year-old could be placed on the bereavement list. DH Miguel Cabrera was out of the lineup Sunday and is just one hit shy of tying Tony Gwynn (3,141) for 20th on the all-time hit list. Cabrera has hit safely in 27 of his last 37 games, slashing .319/.391/.431 with 10 doubles, a home run and 12 RBI. Among American League players with at least 100 plate appearances in that span, he ranks 10th in batting average.

It’s lefty Joey Wentz on the mound. Wentz (2-9, 6.37 ERA) tossed 4.2 scoreless innings to earn the win in his last outing July 29 against the Marlins. He allowed four hits and a walk while striking out six. Wentz had been recalled from Triple-A Toledo earlier in the day and served as Detroit’s primary pitcher, entering the game in the third inning for Beau Brieske.

Wentz struggled mightily in his first stint with the Tigers this season, posting a 6.78 ERA and 1.63 WHIP across 71.2 innings. That earned him a trip back to the minors but he’s likely back up this year for good. Wentz is 0-2 with a 4.09 ERA in two starts this year against Tampa Bay.

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Expert Prediction

Twins 4, Tigers 3

AL Central Standings

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