Minnesota Twins (57-53) vs. Los Angeles Angels (49-63)
The Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels continue their three-game series on Saturday evening. These teams played on Friday night, but this preview was written prior to the conclusion of that contest. Minnesota entered the series slumping slightly, falling back into second place in the AL Central while Los Angeles was playing much better, moving 10.0 games out of the wild card chase entering Friday’s contest.
The Twins enter as the favorite at -120 while the odds are set for the Angels at +100. The total is set at 8.0 for this contest (over: -120, under: +100). These teams have not played each other since 2021 when Los Angeles took four of the seven contests.
The Minnesota Twins are on the cusp of making the playoffs in the American League, entering the series 1.0 games out of the final wild card spot and 1.5 games behind for the division lead. Minnesota was 57-53 entering the series, but it has been against clubs with losing records that they have made the mark, going 30-35 against clubs above .500. That has been on full display in August, as they split four games against Toronto before being swept by the Dodgers.
Gary! Gary! Gary! pic.twitter.com/gKF1DWNbd5
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 11, 2022
Part of the challenge has been that the Twins have been inconsistent on the road. The club is 26-28 entering the series, including going 1-6 in their last seven road contests. All of those games were against clubs that have winning records, adding to the stigma on this club that they simply cannot beat contenders.
The offense is 11th overall, averaging 4.5 runs per game with a .250 batting average, ninth in the league. However, since the All-Star break the club is hitting .240, 20th overall, but is still averaging near five runs per game. That is the kind of thing the club likes to hear, as they send Dylan Bundy to the mound on Saturday. Bundy is 6-5 with a 5.01 ERA in 19 starts. Since July 10, he has really struggled, allowing 17 earned runs in 23.1 innings.