The Minnesota Twins (62-58) and the Houston Astros (78-45) open a 3-game set at Minute Maid Park Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Twins vs. Astros odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Astros lead series 3-0
The Twins won the series opener of a 4-game set against the Texas Rangers, and then they proceeded to drop 3 consecutive games. Minnesota has had difficulty plating runs, totaling just 10 runs in the past 5 outings.
The Astros salvaged the finale of a 3-game interleague series in Atlanta, winning 5-4 Sunday after losing the first 2 contests. Houston has managed a 3-4 mark across the past 7 games overall.
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Twins at Astros projected starters
RHP Aaron Sanchez vs. RHP Justin Verlander
Sanchez (3-3, 7.68 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.68 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 5.9 K/9 in 36 1/3 IP.
- Allowed 2 ER, 4 H and 2 BB with 8 K across 5 IP in his team debut against the Detroit Tigers Monday after being acquired from the Washington Nationals.
- Made a relief appearance against the Astros as a member of the Nats last season, allowing 1 ER and 3 H across 2 IP July 30, 2021.
Verlander (15-3, 1.93 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 0.88 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 143 IP.
- Is 7-1 with a 2.18 ERA with just 4 HR allowed with 66 K across 62 IP in 10 home starts.
- Allowed just 1 H and 2 BB with 5 K across 8 scoreless IP in a win at Minnesota May 10.
Twins at Astros odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:55 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Twins +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Astros -380 (bet $380 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Twins +2.5 (-108) | Astros -2.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: +100 | U: -125)
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Twins at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 6, Twins 1
Money line
The Astros (-380) will cost you nearly 4 times your potential return, and that’s just not a great long-term betting strategy. You’ll win a handful of those bets, but a loss will eat into your bankroll quickly.
AVOID, and look to the run line instead.
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Run line/Against the spread
The ASTROS -2.5 (-112) is worth a roll of the dice with their Cy Young Award candidate on the bump. The Twins +2.5 (-108) have had difficulty scoring runs lately, and facing Verlander certainly won’t be the elixir to cure their ills.
Over/Under
The UNDER 8.5 (-125) is the play in this series opener.
It has been all about the Under lately for the Twins, hitting in 5 straight games while averaged just 2.0 runs per outing. The Under is also 25-7-4 in the past 36 tries against AL West teams for Minnesota, too.
The Astros have been hammering the Over lately, and facing a very giving pitcher like Sanchez is a bit of a concern. However, the Under is 8-3-1 in the past 12 meetings with the Twins, including 3-1-1 in the past 5 encounters in H-Town.
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