Houston Astros vs Minnesota Twins Prediction 10-7-23 MLB Picks
The Minnesota Twins and the Houston Astros meet in game one of the ALDS in MLB action from Minute Maid Park on Saturday.
Twins Sweep Blue Jays
The Minnesota Twins come into the ALDS on the heels of their two-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Wild Card series following a 2-0 win in game two last time out. Carlos Correa and Jorge Polanco each went 2 for 3, with Correa adding an RBI while Edouard Julien, Max Kepler and Willi Castro each had a base hit as the Twins had 7 hits, none of which went for extra bases in the winning effort. Sonny Gray got the win on the mound, giving up just five hits with six strikeouts over five innings of work. Jhoan Duran closed out the 9th for his 2nd save in as many playoff games. Bailey Ober will get the start for the Twins here and was 8-6 with a 3.43 ERA and 146 strikeouts in the regular season.
Minnesota Twins Team Facts
The Twins have lost each of their last eight games as underdogs against AL West opponents following a home win.The Twins have covered the run line each of their last nine day games against teams that held a winning record.The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Twins' last three games at Minute Maid Park.The Twins have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five playoff games as underdogs.
The Twins have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last six playoff games as underdogs.
Minnesota Twins Player Prop Facts
Michael A. Taylor has hit a home run in each of his last two road playoff appearances.Carlos Correa has recorded at least one RBI in each of his four previous playoff appearances against AL West opponents.Jorge Polanco has scored a run in each of his last six appearances with the Twins as underdogs against AL West opponents.Carlos Correa has recorded at least one hit in each of the Twins' last 11 road games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
Carlos Correa has recorded at least one total base in each of the Twins' last 11 road games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
Astros Win AL West
The Houston Astros come in as champions of the AL West division, winning the division title on the final day of the regular season. The Astros finished the year with a record of 90-72, winning the tiebreaker over the Texas Rangers. Kyle Tucker leads the Astros with a .284 batting average and 112 RBIs with a .369 OBP and 37 doubles with 29 homers as well while Alex Bregman has 25 homers with 98 RBIs and a team-high 163 hits. Yordan Alvarez has a team-leading 31 homers and 97 RBIs while Tucker also has a team-high 30 stolen bases this season. Justin Verlander will get the start for the Astros here and was 13-8 with a 3.22 ERA and 144 strikeouts in the regular season.
Houston Astros Team Facts
The underdogs have won each of the Astros' last six games at Minute Maid Park.The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last eight day playoff games against AL Central opponents.The Astros have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five games as favorites against American League opponents.The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Astros' last six home games.
The Astros have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five games as home favorites against American League opponents.
Houston Astros Player Prop Facts
Chas McCormick has hit at least one home run in three of the Astros' last four home games against AL Central opponents.Jose Abreu has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last six appearances after not playing the previous day.Yordan Alvarez has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Astros' last eight games against AL Central opponents.Jose Altuve has scored at least one run in each of the Astros' last six playoff games as favorites against AL Central opponents.Justin Verlander has recorded seven or more strikeouts in nine of his last 10 appearances with the Astros as home favorites against AL Central opponents.Jeremy Pena has recorded a hit in each of the Astros' last 10 playoff games as favorites.
Justin Verlander ranks 9th amongst qualified players for Earned Run Average (3.22) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
The Houston Astros rank 3rd in the league for hits this season (1441).The Houston Astros rank 3rd in the league for strikeouts against this season (1241).The Minnesota Twins rank 30th in the league for strikeouts against this season (1654).
The Minnesota Twins rank 1st in the league for strikeouts this season (1560).
Chris’ Pick
I’m looking at the over here. Justin Verlander had his ups and downs in an Astro uniform, and also gave up a slew of runs in his last three home starts to close out the year. Bailey Ober’s been solid a lot of the way, but he tends to miss out over the plate, and I think that while this is a solid pitching matchup on paper, this matchup’s headed for some runs. Give me the over here.
