On Thursday night, the Minnesota Twins will take on the Seattle Mariners in Seattle. The Twins are coming off a 2-1 series win over the Angels and are 27-15. The Mariners are coming off a two-game series sweep of the Athletics and are now 22-23 on the year.
The Twins had to sweat one out on Wednesday afternoon. They led 8-4 heading to the ninth but gave up three runs to make it 8-7. The Angels had the bases loaded with two outs, but Minnesota was able to shut the door for the win. Jake Odorizzi had an okay start, going 5 1/3 innings and allowing three runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three. The bottom of the order did the damage for the Twins, as Jason Castro homered our of the 8-hole and Byron Buxton homered from the 9-slot, both of which were their only hits of the game. Jorge Polanco, Jonathan Schoop, and Ehire Adrianza each recorded two hits in this one.
The Mariners were off yesterday but won a close one on Tuesday night 4-3. Mike Leake has a good start and went 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs, one earned, on five hits and a walk and striking out six. Roenis Elias was dominant out of the pen and went the final 2 1/3 innings allowing no runs or hits and walked one while striking out five. All of Seattle’s offense came via the home run. Mitch Hanover was 1 for 3 with a two-run home run, Daniel Vogelbach and Tim Beckham each hit solo home runs, and Domingo Santana and Ryon Healy each recorded a hit.
Twins Look For More Success
Michael Pineda will be on the bump for Minnesota in this one. He is 2-3 with a 5.85 ERA in eight starts this year, with a 1.45 WHIP and 35 strikeouts over 40 innings. Pineda did not pitch last year as he underwent Tommy John surgery.
None of the Twins have faced Swanson as this is his first season in the big leagues. The Minnesota bats have been hot and have averaged five runs per game over the past six contests.
Rookie Struggles
Erik Swanson will get the start for Seattle. He is 1-4 with a 6.35 ERA this season and has a WHIP of 1.27 and 21 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings. This is his first season in the big leagues.
Only four Mariner hitters have had at-bats against Pineda in his career. Edwin Encarnacion is 9 for 27 with a home run as these two faced off a lot in their time in the AL East. Kyle Seager is 3 for 6 but is on the IL. Tim Beckham is 1 for 7, and Mallex Smith is 1 for 2.
Twins Get Road Win
The Twins are -115. Neither team has seen the opposing starter enough to have an advantage in that area. All I know is that Pineda has a good track record, while Swanson is in his rookie campaign. I trust Pineda in this one to give Minnesota a quality start against a struggling Mariners team.
Both teams have won two in a row, but Minnesota is 7-3 in its last 10, while Seattle is 4-6. Pineda is solid, and the bats stay hot for Minnesota en route to victory. Take the Twins -115.
