MLB Saturday Preview – Texas vs Minnesota
Before baseball gambling fans turn their attention to other sports betting events, we have the Saturday MLB game of the day pick for you. It’s time for our weekly baseball picks for online MLB betting action.
Season Record:
Texas: 75-59 SU
Minnesota: 78-57 SU
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Division Leaders Meet In AL Battle
MLB Betting – Texas Rangers @ Minnesota Twins
Colby Lewis (9-11) vs. Carl Pavano (15-10)
Lewis vs. Twins Hitting
It’s fair to say Colby Lewis has hit a rough patch. The right-hander hasn’t recorded a win since July 16th, going 0-6 in eight starts since. He’s allowed 12 runs in his last three starts, including five runs in five innings in his most recent outing versus Oakland. Fatigue may be Lewis’ biggest problem. Before this season, Lewis hadn’t pitched more than 126 innings in a Major League ballpark, and that was in 2003 (he had battled injuries and spent 07-09 pitching in Japan). Now, he’s up to 167 innings and is pitching the majority of games in the Texas summer sun. An extended break/missed start may be forced into his future.
This will be Lewis’ third try against Minnesota this season; he’s gone 0-1 in the previous two starts. He hasn’t been terrible, allowing five runs 12 1/3 innings against the Twins. Nobody on the Twins has extensive experience against Lewis, although DH Jim Thome has made the most out of their limited time together; Thome is 4-for-6 with 5 RBI’s all-time versus the right-hander. If you bet on MLB, picking Thome to have a good game would be a solid start.
Pavano vs. Rangers Hitting
A legit contender for “Comeback-of-the-Century,” Pavano has hit a road block in the improbable path to 20 wins. He’s lost three straight and is stuck at 15 going into the finale month. Although his most recent start (8 IP, 2 ER) was considered masterful, it was his previous two starts (11 ER, 23 hits in 14 combined IP) that forced “Pavano-on-the-Yankees” flashback horrors. But if you bet on MLB, and more specifically the Twins, there is no need to worry. Pavano is a legitimate stud pitcher in this league and should be treated as such, regardless of his pinstripe-history.
Pavano has faced the Rangers twice this season, going 1-1 and allowing six runs in 15 IP. It’s a pretty solid record against one of the more potent offenses in the league. Texas boasts one of the game’s best in Josh Hamilton (.361, 31 HR, 97 RBI) and have recently re-activated second-baseman Ian Kinsler from the DL. Hamilton, Kinsler, Michael Young and Vladimir Guerrero anchor a lineup that can matchup with anyone.
Bullpen Comparison
With the recent addition of Brian Fuentes, the Twins now boast a pretty formidable bullpen. Matt Capps, another relative newcomer, has a 1.80 ERA in 15 IP. Jesse Crain has a 2.70 ERA in 56 IP this season. The rest of the bullpen isn’t lights out like those two, but are clearly good enough for a team with a comfortable lead in the AL Central.
Neftali Feliz of the Rangers is close to making history. The rookie flamethrower has 34 saves, putting him four away from breaking the season saves mark by a first year pitcher. He’s already recorded a save against Minnesota this season, which is only good news for his confidence. The rest of the ‘pen isn’t bad, but it’s clearly Feliz’s group to lead regardless of his rookie status.
Outlook
These two teams are destined for the playoffs, although the Rangers have a much more formidable lead in their respective division. The Twins aren’t sweating, but they’d like to get a point where the Rangers are now at. I’m betting the resurged Pavano helps them do that.
MLB Betting Pick: Minnesota Twins
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Poolside Rants hails from beautiful Bozeman Montana by way of Toronto, Canada. (Blame his wife for the move). He’s a Dallas Cowboys football honk. But please….don’t hold that against him. The man knows his sports and has uncanny knowledge when it comes to picking games.
