Rangers (72-55) vs. Twins (66-62)
Texas Rangers vs. Minnesota Twins 8/26/2023 — Saturday will witness the return of the Texas Rangers to Target Field as they prepare to face off against the Minnesota Twins. Currently perched at the summit of the AL West standings, the Rangers showcase a commendable record of 72-55. Regrettably, Texas is entangled in the clutches of a formidable seven-game losing streak, culminating in a recent 7-5 defeat at the hands of the Twins on Thursday. Andrew Heaney experienced difficulties during this match, allowing 7 hits and conceding 3 runs in a mere 4 innings of play. The trio of Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, and Leody Taveras managed to launch home runs during the game.
Conversely, the Minnesota Twins are commanding atop the AL Central with a record of 66-62. The Twins are equipped with 6 victories from their last 10 games as they enter the weekend. Their latest encounter concluded in a triumphant 7-5 scoreline against the Rangers. In this recent matchup, Pablo Lopez, the Twins’ pitcher, encountered some hurdles, surrendering 10 hits and allowing 5 runs over the course of 5 innings against the Rangers. A notable highlight was Michael A. Taylor contributing with a pair of home runs during the game.
Texas Rangers vs. Minnesota Twins Game Info
Time: 7:15 PM ET.
Date: Saturday, August 26, 2023
Venue: Target Field in Minneapolis, MN
TV: FOX
Texas Rangers SP Max Scherzer (12-5, ERA: 3.77) and Minnesota Twins SP Joe Ryan (9-8, ERA: 4.48)
Max Scherzer will take the pitcher’s mound for the Rangers in this game, who holds a 3.77 ERA and an impressive starting record of 12-5. Over the course of the season, the Rangers have consistently demonstrated their batting prowess, leading the league with an average of 9.4 hits per game. Adolis Garcia is making waves within the Texas team, delivering an outstanding season with 31 home runs and 93 RBI.
On the opposing side, Joe Ryan is slated to assume the role of starting pitcher for the Twins. Carrying a 4.48 ERA along with a 9-8 record, Ryan steps into this role. Of particular note is the Twins’ exceptional bullpen performance in the current MLB season, effectively constraining opposing teams to an average of merely 4.1 runs per game, marking the league’s fourth lowest. Minnesota’s power hitters, Joey Gallo and Max Kepler, have each contributed 20 home runs, sharing the leadership in this aspect. Additionally, Carlos Correa stands out with a team-high 56 RBI.
Odds/Point Spread: Texas Rangers -118, Total Odds: 8.0
Saturday’s game epitomizes the rationale behind the Rangers’ pursuit of Max Scherzer. The seasoned right-handed pitcher is pivotal in curbing the downturn and steering the Rangers back to their triumphant trajectory. Scherzer has unequivocally met the expectations, registering three solid starts out of four, and upholding an impressive ERA of 2.61. This occasion presents him with the challenge of facing the Twins’ lineup, which currently ranks 17th in terms of runs scored, and possesses the unenviable distinction of having the highest strikeout rate in the MLB. With Scherzer boasting a remarkable 11.7 K/9 rate since joining the Rangers, he is well-positioned for this matchup.
Conversely, Minnesota will deploy Ryan as its countermeasure. Making his first start after recuperating from a groin issue that had relegated him to the IL, Ryan faces the mound. Prior to his injury, Ryan faced difficulties, resulting in an ERA that hovered around nine during that span. Pitted against the Rangers, who hold the second-highest scoring record in terms of runs in MLB, his return is met with a challenging scenario. It’s anticipated that Scherzer will assert his dominance against the Twins’ lineup, renowned for its aggressive plate approach, while the Rangers’ lineup is expected to rediscover its rhythm against the returning Ryan.
Texas Rangers Betting Trends
- Texas won 46 of 76 games, or 60.5%, as favorites by at least -117 on the moneyline.
- Oddsmakers implied with the moneyline set for this matchup that the Rangers have a 53.9% chance to win.
- The Texas Rangers’ games went over the total in 63 of its 128 chances.
- The Rangers have an ATS record of 72-56-0 in 128 games with a spread.
Minnesota Twins Betting Trends
- The total remained UNDER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 6 matches with Texas.
- The Minnesota Twins are 8-2 SU in their last 10 matches at home.
- The total stayed UNDER in 6 of Minnesota’s last 8 home games with Texas.
- The total went OVER in 9 of Minnesota’s last 13 outings with an AL opponent.
Texas Rangers vs. Minnesota Twins Betting Trends
Texas Rangers vs. Minnesota Twins: For the Rangers this weekend, who are in urgent need of a win, Max Scherzer is the perfect pitcher to have on the field. They only lead the Houston Astros by one game, after all. Given the Twins’ 5 home runs against the Rangers on Thursday, it is logical to assume that won’t occur on Saturday. The Rangers won 52, or 60.5%, of their 86 games this season while underdogs. When Texas was favored by at least -117 on the moneyline, it won 46 of its 76 games this season or 60.5% of the time. According to the moneyline set for this game, the Rangers have a 53.9% chance of winning.
Free Pick and Prediction: Texas Rangers will win 4-2.
