8:05 pm
August 17

Twins @ Rangers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Minnesota Twins (74-48)

@ Texas Rangers (60-62)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Berrios (MIN): 10-6; 3.29 ERA

Jurado (TEX) 6-8; 5.31 ERA

 

Last 10 Games Played:

Minnesota Twins: 4-6

Texas Rangers: 2-8

 

Current odds:

Minnesota Twins: (-155)

Texas Rangers: (+145)

 

• The Minnesota Twins continue to flex their muscles in impressive fashion. Minnesota aims to do more damage with another edition of its power display on Saturday, when it visits the Texas Rangers for the third contest of their four-game series. Max Kepler hit his team-best 33rd homer and Jonathan Schoop also went deep in Friday’s 4-3 win over the Rangers as the Twins raised their home-run total to 238 – just 29 shy of the record set last season by the New York Yankees. Minnesota has clubbed five homers while winning the first two games of the series and increased its lead over Cleveland in the American League Central to 1 1/2 games.

• The Rangers have dropped eight of their last 10 contests, scoring three runs or fewer six times during that stretch. Nomar Mazara went 3-for-4 on Friday as his two-run double was Texas’ only hit in 11 at-bats with runners in scoring position.

• Berrios did not factor in the decision in his last turn after giving up three runs and six hits over six innings against the Indians. The 25-year-old was torched for nine runs and nine hits over 5 2/3 frames in a loss to Atlanta in his previous outing. Berrios is 2-1 with a 5.63 ERA in three career starts against Texas but has shut down Rougned Odor (0-for-8, four strikeouts).

• Jurado was roughed up badly in his last outing as he surrendered eight runs and 11 hits over 3 2/3 innings in a loss to Toronto. The 23-year-old was much sharper in his previous turn as he gave up two runs and three hits over seven frames in a setback against Cleveland. Jurado allowed two hits in 2 1/3 innings of relief on July 7 in his lone career appearance against Minnesota.

• Twins DH Nelson Cruz (wrist) took batting practice Friday without issues and could return by the middle of next week.

• Texas OF-1B Danny Santana struck out in three of his five hitless at-bats on Friday after putting together three straight two-hit performances.

• Minnesota RHP Ian Krol, who has pitched in 225 major-league games but has spent this season at Triple-A, was suspended 50 games without pay for a second positive test for a drug of abuse, according to Major League Baseball.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Minnesota Twins
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