Minnesota Twins vs Houston Astros Prediction, 5/31/2023 MLB Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Twins vs Houston Astros

Date: Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Location: Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX

TV: AT&T SportsNet Southwest

Odds/Point Spread: Minnesota (+160) Houston (-190)

Minute Maid Park is the site where the Houston Astros (31-22) will take on the Minnesota Twins (28-26) on Wednesday. The line on this contest has Minnesota at +160 and Houston is opening at -190. The over/under is 8. The pitchers taking the mound will be Louie Varland and Hunter Brown.

The Twins have earned 83 two-baggers as a squad and have knocked 74 baseballs out of the stadium. Minnesota has a slugging rate of .407 and have struck out 548 times, while being walked on 194 occasions. As a squad, the Minnesota Twins are recording 4.6 runs per contest, which is 16th in MLB. They have accumulated 234 runs batted in and 425 hits over the course of the season, while their average at the plate sits at .233. They are sitting with 247 runs while holding a team on-base percentage of .315.

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The Twins have an ERA of 3.44 for the season (2nd in the league), and the staff has rung up 533 batters. Twins pitchers have given up 51 home runs and also 203 total runs (2nd in the league). Their pitching staff has walked 163 opposing batters and their FIP comes in at 3.54 as a squad for the season. Minnesota has allowed 411 base knocks (7.6 per 9 innings) in addition to 186 earned runs. Their K/BB ratio is 3.27 and the pitching staff holds a WHIP of 1.18.

The Twins have sent 163 relief pitchers to the hill on the season. The relief pitchers have inherited 49 runners this season with 32.7% of those players crossed the plate. They have tallied 12 saves so far this year and have missed out on 12 of their 24 save opportunities. The Twins relievers have recorded a save percentage of 50.0% and has stepped onto the mound in 55 save situations. The relief pitchers have a total of 31 holds for the year (8th in MLB). Twins relief pitchers have entered the contest with runners on base 39 times and also have had 59 appearances in high leverage situations.

The Twins have converted 69.6% of balls in play into outs out of 4,383 innings, which ranks them 13th in the majors. The Minnesota Twins have earned 1,461 putouts this year, as well as 407 assists and 34 errors. Their fielding rate is at .982 which is 26th in MLB, and have a total of 36 double plays.

Varland has thrown 60 innings and is sitting with 55 strikeouts so far in his career. Varland (3-3 career record) sits with a FIP of 4.94 while he has gone up against 249 opposing hitters during his time in the major leagues. His ERA is 4.05 (27 earned runs allowed) and his career WHIP is 1.233. He has surrendered 61 base knocks (9.2 hits per 9 innings) and has 13 walks.

The Houston Astros have accumulated an OBP of .316 in addition to a team batting average of .245 on the season. They have struck out on 425 occasions (25th in baseball) and have totaled 436 hits. Houston is sitting with 54 HRs on the season to go along with 228 RBIs. The Astros hold a team slugging percentage of .391 and they average 4.51 runs per contest (18th in MLB). They have hit 88 two-baggers, while taking a walk 164 times as well as scoring 239 runs.

The Astros have a team WHIP of 1.191 in addition to having a FIP of 3.71 as a staff this season. Their K/BB ratio sits at 9.80 (516 strikeouts vs 148 bases on balls). They sit at 3rd in the league as a staff in total hits allowed with 413. They have surrendered 56 homers and they yield 3.59 runs per 9 innings (1st in the league). The Houston pitching staff have conceded 188 runs so far this season while having a team ERA of 3.21 (168 earned runs surrendered).

Houston has had relievers step onto the mound in 21 save opportunities and they have walked away with 15 saves. They sit at 8th in the league with a save percentage of 71.4%, and they have sent 165 relief pitchers to the mound this season. Their relievers have taken the field 45 times in high leverage situations and also on 25 occasions with runners on. Houston relief pitchers have an inherited score percentage of 26.2% of 42 inherited runners. With 48 save situations, the Astros have accrued 26 holds and 6 blown saves.

The Houston Astros have turned 44 double plays and own a fielding percentage of .989 (6th in baseball). The Astros have recorded 436 assists, 20 errors and have accounted for 1,415 putouts so far this year. Out of their 4,245 innings on the field, the Astros hold a defensive efficiency of 69.4% (14th in MLB).

So far in his career, Brown has allowed 66 hits while totaling 88 strikeouts in 78 frames. Brown (7-1 win-loss record in his career) has earned a 2.54 earned run average while giving up 7.6 hits per nine innings. He has surrendered 22 earned runs while earning a WHIP of 1.167 and being the owner of a FIP of 2.8. His K/BB ratio is 3.52 and he has faced 315 hitters in his pro baseball career.

Who will win tonight's MLB game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Houston (-190)

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