Preview: The Texas Rangers and the Minnesota Twins will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Target Field.
The Rangers will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander Derek Holland in this game. Holland has a 2-2 record and a 5.16 ERA this season.
The Twins will counter Holland with Nick Blackburn. Righthander Blackburn has a 5.89 ERA to go along with a 8-8 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Twins listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Rangers, while the game's total is sitting at 9½.
Andres Blanco went 2-fore-4 and drove in a run as the Rangers defeated the Royals 4-3 on Wednesday. The Rangers won that game as -160 favorites, while the seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9.5) set by sportsbooks.
Tommy Hunter improved to 12-2 with the win, and Neftali Feliz pitched a scoreless ninth for his 34th save.
The Twins were defeated 10-9 by the Tigers last time out, as -115 favorites. That game's 19 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (7.5) set by sportsbooks.
Nick Blackburn was tagged with the Twins loss, giving up the winning run.
Team records:
Texas: 75-58 SU
Minnesota: 77-57 SU
Texas most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Minnesota are 6-4
After playing Kansas City are 6-4
After a win are 3-7
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Texas are 5-5
After playing Detroit are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Texas's last 7 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Texas's last 10 games when playing Minnesota
Texas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Texas is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Texas
Minnesota is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games at home
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games when playing at home against Texas
Next up:
Minnesota home to Texas, Saturday, September 4
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