Byron Buxton will be looking to extend his 20-game on-base streak as the Minnesota Twins (24-21) match up against the Los Angeles Angels (24-22) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday. The Angels took Friday’s series opener 5-4.
Zack Weiss threw 0.1 scoreless innings in relief to get the win, and Carlos Estevez picked up his 11th save with a scoreless ninth. Mickey Moniak went 3 for 4 with a triple and a double in the win over the Twins. He had one RBI. Hunter Renfroe also went 3 for 4 with one run and one RBI.
ON THE MOUND
Louie Varland (1-0, 4.30 ERA) is set to start for Minnesota. The RHP allowed three runs over 6.1 innings in his last start, a 16-3 road win over the Cubs on Sunday. He got the win, giving up four hits while striking out seven and walking one.
Varland is making his first appearance against the Angels this season. Varland made one start against the Angels in 2022, a 4-2 home loss on September 23. He surrendered three runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings, striking out three and walking one.
For Los Angeles, lefty Patrick Sandoval (3-2, 3.22 ERA) gets the start. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Twins. Sandoval made one start against the Twins in 2022, throwing five innings in a 4-0 home defeat on August 12.
He gave up five hits and walked four, while striking out four in the loss. In his last start on Sunday, Sandoval took the loss on the road against the Guardians. He threw 7.2 innings and gave up three runs (2 ER) on five hits, striking out five and walking one in the 4-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Minnesota has averaged 7.2 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.7, while performing better across the board (.286/.352/.485). Against left-handed pitchers like Sandoval this season, the Twins have a .657 OPS, third lowest in MLB.
Carlos Correa is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a .794 OPS in 31 at-bats. Los Angeles is averaging only 4.8 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 5.1 for the season.
The Halos have a .748 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .954 OPS over 119 at-bats, Mike Trout has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Minnesota is 10-13 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 3.7 runs. Los Angeles has gone 11-9 at home this season, averaging 5.5 runs per game while surrendering 5.7.
The teams have split their last 10 meetings head-to-head at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, though Minnesota has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.0-4.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Twins lead the AL Central by two games over the Tigers. The Angels are third in the AL West, four games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
LA Angels (-125)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
