Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros Picks, Predictions, Odds

Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros Betting Analysis

The Minnesota Twins and the Houston Astros play the third of a three-game series on Thursday, August 25th at Minute Maid Park.

The Twins are in second place in the American League Central with a 62-60 record overall and 27-32 on the road, which trails the division leading Guardians by four games. The Astros currently pace the American League West with a record of 80-45, which has been aided by their sturdy 41-18 tally at home.

Updated on 11/22/2024

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Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros Betting Prediction

The Twins are currently second in the AL Central standings, four games behind the Cleveland Guardians for first place. They also find themselves just outside of the Wild Card picture, four games behind Seattle for the third spot. Minnesota lost the first two games of this series and have struggled since returning from the All-Star break with a SU record of 12-16. The offense has scored just nine runs over their last five games but have been productive throughout the season with a batting average of .248 (11th), on base percentage of .318 (9th), slugging percentage of .409 (9th) and have scored 533 total runs (16th). With a WHIP of 1.24 (12th) and team ERA of 3.95 (19th), Minnesota’s bullpen needs to step it up if they want to see the postseason. Right-handed pitcher Chirs Archer (2-6, 4.02 ERA) is expected to start Thursday.  

Houston enters this matchup first in the AL West standings, 12 and a half games ahead of the second-place Seattle Mariners. The Astros have been consistent throughout the season and continue to play good baseball with a SU record of 21-12 since returning from the All-Star break. The offense has gotten progressively better as the season goes on with a batting average of .246 (13th), on base percentage of .319 (7th), slugging percentage of .426 (5th) and have scored 574 total runs (8th). Houston’s bullpen has been even more impressive than the offense with a WHIP of 1.12 (3rd) and team ERA of 3.06 (2nd). The right-hander Luis Garcia (10-8, 4.09 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound Thursday.  

The Astros have proven themselves to be one of the best teams in baseball again this season while the Twins are slowly slipping away from a playoff spot. Houston is just too good on both sides of the ball to bet against in this matchup. There is little to no value in playing the moneylne, so will be backing the Astros runline here.  

Score Prediction: Astros 6, Twins 3
Best Bet: Astros -1.5 (+115)

Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros Betting Odds

Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros Betting Resources

• Date: Thursday, August 25, 2022
• Matchup: AL Central vs. AL West
• Venue: Minute Maid Park
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Time-TV: 8:10 p.m. ET – MLB Network

Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros – Current Form

The Twins grabbed three of three games last week against the Kansas City Royals, but were tripped up by the Rangers in their following series. Minnesota didn’t allow the Royals any runs Tuesday in the second of three contests. The Astros went 2-2 against the White Sox last Thursday, but lost 2-2 to the Braves in their next game on Sunday. The White Sox scored only two runs against the Houston Astros on Wednesday, which was Houston’s best defensive result in the last two series.

Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros – Pitching Matchup

Minnesota: Chris Archer (2-6, 4.02 ERA)

Minnesota’s right-hander Chris Archer takes the mound for his 22nd start of the season. Archer looks to improve on a 2-6 record and 4.02 ERA in 87.1 innings, while striking out 76, walking 42 batters, and posting a 1.26 WHIP. Minnesota’s 33-year-old right-hander didn’t factor in the decision in his last start, which came at home against the Texas Rangers on August 20, 2022. He threw five innings, allowing one run on three hits with one walk and five strikeouts in a 3-4 the Twins loss. In his 10 starts on the road this season, Archer is 0-3 with a 4.24 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP, 24 walks and 35 strikeouts over 40.1 innings of work.

Houston: Luis Garcia (10-8, 4.09 ERA)

Houston's Luis Garcia toes the rubber for his 23rd start of the season as he looks to improve on a 10-8 mark and 4.09 ERA. The right-hander has put together a 1.18 WHIP to go along with 127 strikeouts and 39 walks in 123.1 innings of work. The 25-year-old right-hander lifted the Astros to win on the road over the White Sox on August 18th. Garcia tossed five innings in the 5-21 win against Chicago, while giving up three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and four walks. Garcia owns a 7-3 home record this season in 11 starts at the Minute Maid Park. In those outings, he has posted a 4.88 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP, 17 walks, and 68 strikeouts in 62.2 innings of work.

Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros – Series History

Minnesota went 4-3 overall in last year's head-to-head meetings. However, the Astros have taken the advantage away from the Twins with five straight wins to open this year's season series.