MLB Predictions: Are Twins a good bet to beat White Sox? 8/29/17
Are the Twins a good bet to knock off the White Sox tonight at 8:10PM ET when the AL Central rivals meet in Minnesota?
The Matchup: White Sox vs. Twins, 8:10PM ET, Target Field
According to oddsmakers, the Twins are -205 money line favorites to beat the White Sox at home. That makes Chicago a +175 money line underdog to pull off the upset. As for the total, the number sits at 9 runs, down from 10.
Chicago enters play tonight in last place in the American League Central. The club is just 52-77 on the year but has won six of its last 10 games. Where the team has struggled is on the road, where the Sox have posted a 22-43 record.
As for Minnesota, the Twins are now seven full games back of the Indians for first place in the division. Minnesota has also won six of its last 10 games but has been a poor bet at home, going just 31-35 at Target Field.
The Pitching Matchup: James Shields (CHW) vs. Ervin Santana (MIN)
Shields hasn’t won a start since June 29 when he beat the Yankees at home. His last outing came against these same Twins on August 23. Shields held Minnesota to just three runs on three hits while striking out six batters over six innings. He also walked one and allowed one home run.
As for Santana, he countered Shields in that August 23 matchup, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits over seven innings of work. He struck out eight, walked one and allowed one home run. On the season, Santana is 13-7 with a 3.24 ERA over 169 1/3 frames.
Our Prediction
Minnesota has won four of Santana’s last four home starts against the White Sox. The Twins are also 5-1 in Santana’s last six outings versus the White Sox overall. In his last five outings against all opponents, the Twins are 4-1.
On the other side, Chicago is just 3-12 in Shield’s last 15 road starts. The Sox have also dropped 21 of his last 31 starts and are 1-7 in his last eight outings after scoring five runs or more in their previous game.
Tuesday MLB Prediction: Minnesota Twins -1.5
