Minnesota Twins (67-53) vs. Texas Rangers (55-65)
On Thursday, August 15, the MLB betting scene features an intriguing matchup between the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. This game marks the beginning of a four-game series, with the Twins having previously bested the Rangers in May, winning two out of three games in Minneapolis.
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Twins Seek Redemption Following Recent Setback
The Minnesota Twins faced disappointment on Wednesday, losing 4-1 to the Kansas City Royals and missing an opportunity for a series sweep. They had previously shown promise by outscoring the Royals 21-6 in the first two games of the series.
In their last week of play, the Twins posted an impressive batting average of .282/.316/.487, including 13 doubles, one triple, and 11 home runs over 234 at-bats. Notably, four players achieved an OPS above .900 during this span. However, Byron Buxton’s participation is uncertain due to a hip injury.
Starting pitcher Bailey Ober is set to take the mound for the Twins. The 29-year-old right-hander boasts a record of 12-5, a 3.52 ERA, and an impressive 137 strikeouts against 31 walks in his 22 starts this season. Ober is seeking his fifth consecutive victory after allowing only four earned runs in his last 28 innings pitched.
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Texas Rangers Struggling to Find Their Footing
The Texas Rangers faced a challenging series against the Boston Red Sox, where they were attempting to avoid a sweep after losing the first two games of the three-game set, with scores of 5-4 and 9-4.
As the reigning World Series champions, the Rangers have hit a rough patch, winning only four of their last 17 games. They find themselves 9.5 games behind the AL West-leading Houston Astros and ten games behind the final American League wild card position.
Cody Bradford is slated to pitch for Texas on Thursday. The 26-year-old left-hander enters the game with a 4-0 record, a 3.60 ERA, and an impressive K/BB ratio of 31/4 over 30 innings this season. In his last outing, Bradford struck out seven batters in five innings while allowing just one run against the New York Yankees.
Best Bets for Minnesota Twins vs. Texas Rangers
The Twins have shown solid performance against left-handed pitchers this season, achieving a .263/.319/.439 batting average. Over the past ten days, they have maintained a 114 wRC+ and a .791 OPS against southpaws. Given this trend, it seems likely that they could hand Bradford his first loss of the season. Since rejoining the Rangers’ roster on July 30, he has allowed nine earned runs in just under 11 innings.
Bailey Ober will be facing the Rangers for the second time this season, having previously allowed only two runs on four hits in five innings during a previous matchup. The Rangers have struggled recently, posting an 86 wRC+ and a .663 OPS against right-handed pitchers over the past ten days. Their bullpen has also faced difficulties, with a concerning 6.45 ERA during that stretch.
