Now that they’re finally through with a five-game set at Cleveland, the Minnesota Twins return home Friday night to square off with the Baltimore Orioles. These squads are on opposite sides of their respective MLB standings, so it should be interesting to see how this three-game bill plays out.
The Twins (43-36) most recently dropped three of five to the Guardians, who they’re battling for first place in the American League Central. On the MLB schedule, Cleveland has simply had Minnesota’s number lately, which is why the Twins only hold a one-game lead at the top of the grouping right now.
Baltimore (35-42) just lost two of three to Seattle after coming just short of sweeping the Chicago White Sox before that. The Orioles trail the New York Yankees in the American League East by 21 games. A steep climb, for sure.
Predictably for a club that has struggled to stay consistent in the wins column, Baltimore hasn’t done very well in the batter’s box. The team is hitting a combined .229 — Detroit and Oakland are the only AL teams to have a lower batting average.
At least the offensive effort has been collective. Designated hitter Trey Mancini is swinging for a team-high .280 average, while right fielder Anthony Santander has piled up 14 home runs. First baseman Ryan Mountcastle is on his heels, with one less dinger this season.
With 45 RBIs, left fielder Austin Hays has the most of any Oriole. Center fielder Cedric Mullins has 78 total knocks.
Twins vs. Baltimore Orioles Matchup Information
Minnesota Twins vs. Baltimore Orioles Odds
MLB odds have the home team getting it back together in the first of this one-series home stand. Minnesota is -1.5 on the run line at -110, while the Padres are also -110 to cover the spread.
On the moneyline, the Twins are -215 and Baltimore a +180 underdog. The total has been set at nine runs, with the over being -104 and the under -118 at the time of this writing.
Minnesota has been better with the lumber, at the moment ranking third in the AL with a .253 team mark. Only Toronto and Boston have done better.
Of course, first baseman Luis Arraez is a large part of why this lineup has seen success. His .340 batting average is the second-highest in the bigs.
Center fielder Byron Buxton has belted 20 long balls, while shortstop Jorge Polanco has 36 RBIs.
Minnesota Twins vs. Baltimore Orioles Betting Preview
Joe Ryan will be making his 11th start this season for the Twins, having pinned up a 6-3 record and a 3.20 ERA thus far.
A five-inning effort against Colorado helped snap a two-game slide for Minnesota in his recent outings before then. In each of his three June starts, Ryan let up at least three earned runs.
He’d much rather play teams like he had in April when he didn’t allow anyone more than two earned runs all month. Maybe July will be a return to form of sorts.
Baltimore’s Spenser Watkins, a 29-year-old righty, will be on the mound, as well. So far, he has a 1-1 record and a 5.14 ERA, which obviously presents room for improvement.
Watkins only took the hill once in June, that being a 6-2 triumph over the White Sox last Saturday. In that one, he went five innings, allowing as many hits and only one earned run.
He’ll definitely be aiming for a similar performance against this, another AL Central member.
Minnesota Twins vs. Baltimore Orioles Picks and Predictions
Ryan has posted respectable numbers for the Twins this year, and their offense has been fantastic. This combination is why Minnesota will be able to cover against one of the most inconsistent teams in the MLB.
In your MLB picks today, make that choice for this particular contest. Superior efforts with both facets will propel the Twins to a series-opening win that it seems like they sorely need after their recent shortcomings.
Don’t make this one of the complicated MLB matchups.
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