MLB Odds: Twins vs. Astros prediction, odds, pick

Chris Archer starts for the Twins. Luis Garcia starts on the mound for Houston. Both men made their first start of 2022 on April 12. Garcia has thrown 36 more innings this season than Archer. He has 11 appearances this year in which he has pitched at least six innings. He is an ordinary pitcher with a 5.25 ERA. The Astros would like something better than this. They do receive it once in a while. It's not very often. This game is a special occasion. For the rest of the season, they need to be better.

The Twins are playing poorly. They have scored 11 runs in their last six games. In the first two games of this series against Houston, they have only scored four ninth-inning runs. Most of their offense this past week has come in meaningless situations.

The Astros have led by four runs entering the ninth in each of the first two games of this series. The Twins are still missing Byron Buxton.

The Twins and the Astros are playing a crucial game in the series. Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez are the best pitchers for the Houston Astros. Luis Garcia is not in their league. The Twins need to win to stay in playoff hunt. Byron Buxton is out.