The Tigers look to continue their run of good play and a series with the Twins could get them back in the hunt in the AL Central.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Detroit beat Minnesota for the eighth time in 10 games with Thursday’s series opening 4-2 win and the Tigers are 5-2 in their last seven up 3.55 units on the moneyline. Detroit is sticking around with strong play on the road, winning for the sixth time in eight games, and improving to 22-18 overall, up 5.75 units. The Tigers had their incredible run of 19 consecutive over plays stopped Thursday but the over is still 24-16 in their 40 road contests. Detroit has also cashed the over in each of Alfredo Simón’s last six starts but is just 3-3 in those games.
Thursday’s loss was Minnesota’s first in five games at Target Field and the Twins are 28-16 there this season, up 14.91 units on the moneyline. They’ve lost three of the first four at home to Detroit in the season series and are down 1.82 units. The Twins have won each of the last five games started by Phil Hughes and are 6-3 in his home starts.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Alfredo Simón (8-5, 4.18 ERA) picked up his first win in three weeks Monday at Seattle, but he gave up five runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings along the way. He’s been horrid over his last four starts surrendering 37 hits and 23 earned runs over 20.1 innings for a 10.18 ERA.
Simón topped the Twins with 7.2 innings of one-run ball on May 12 at Comerica Park and looks to improve on his 5.40 ERA and 1.58 WHIP on the road.
Phil Hughes (7-6, 4.19 ERA) has been solid over his last six starts with a 2.95 ERA. He gave up just two runs over 6.1 innings in a no-decision against the Orioles on Monday. He’s 3-0 over his last five starts with the Twins winning all of them and he sports a fancy 1.61 ERA over his last three outings at Target Field.
Hughes gave up three runs on seven hits in five innings with a no-decision in a home start against Detroit on Apr. 29 and has a 5.73 ERA in two starts against them this season.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“Water finds its level. And I think that Kinsler’s going to get hot. You can’t do it unless you’re in the opportunity.” – Tigers’ manager Brad Ausmus on Ian Kinsler after a two hit night Thursday.
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
It’s been an odd first half of the season for Detroit’s Ian Kinsler, though he continues to play a mostly stellar second base. He’s hit into a triple play. He didn’t hit his first home run of the season until May 30, the longest he’d ever gone without one to start a season and he has just three this season. He’s dropped pop-ups and he’s been picked off first base five times. In an attempt to shake up the lineup, manager Brad Ausmus moved Kinsler to the leadoff spot and he’s responded nicely hitting .281 with seven RBIs in seven games since the move. He doubled, homered and drove in three in Detroit’s series opening 4-2 win on Thursday.
PROP TALK
Twins’ prospect Miguel Sano has been as advertised over his first week in the big leagues, hitting .385 through his first eight games. Sano blasted the first of what’s expected to be many home runs Tuesday against the Orioles and has handled himself well at the plate after making the jump from Double-A ball. Sano went hitless for the first time Thursday but the phenom could have a field day against struggling Tigers starter Alfredo Simón, who’s been torn apart in his last four outings and surrendered at least one homer in each game.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Detroit has had the Twins’ number this season winning eight of the first 10 meetings but this matchup favors Minnesota. Phil Hughes has been strong at home and Alfredo Simón has been tossing batting practice, which has guys like Torii Hunter, Brian Dozier and Miguel Sano licking their chops. The Twins have been better offensively since Sano joined the club, but they’ve struggled lately to hit with runners in scoring position. That changes against Simón, who has a .283 batting average against on the road.
Minnesota 7, Detroit 3
The MLB lines for this contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The ballgame pitting the Detroit Tigers versus the Minnesota Twins will commence Saturday, July 11, 2015, at 4:05 p.m. ET at Target Field. The contest will be televised nationally on FS1.
