The strikeout-prone San Francisco Giants (23-24) face a tough test at Target Field on Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins (25-23) and Sonny Gray, owner of this season’s best K/9 rate,.
The Giants took Monday’s series opener 4-1. Reliever Sean Manaea was credited with the win after throwing 3.2 scoreless innings, and Scott Alexander earned his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
Michael Conforto was 1 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs in the win. Kyle Garlick went 1 for 2 with a solo home run for the Twins.
ON THE MOUND
Alex Cobb (3-1, 1.70 ERA) is in line for the start for San Francisco. The RHP leads the NL in ERA. Cobb allowed two runs over 3.1 innings in his last start, a 4-3 road win over the Phillies on May 16. He gave up five hits while striking out three and walking five in the no-decision.
Cobb is making his first appearance against the Twins this season. Cobb made one start against the Twins in 2022, a 3-2 road loss on August 27. He allowed four hits over five scoreless innings, striking out seven and walking two.
For Minnesota, RHP Gray (4-0, 1.64 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Giants. Gray made one start against the Giants in 2022, throwing five innings in a 3-2 home win on August 27.
He gave up one hit and walked four, while striking out four in the no-decision. In his last start on Wednesday, Gray took a no-decision on the road against the Dodgers. He threw four innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out four and walking three in the 7-3 loss. The RHP leads the league in ERA.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, San Francisco has averaged 4.4 runs a game, equal to their season average. Against right-handed pitchers like Gray this season, the Giants have a .754 OPS. LaMonte Wade Jr. has the team’s highest on-base percentage against right-handers at .444 over 100 at-bats.
Minnesota is averaging only 3.2 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.6 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.222/.301/.377).
The Twins have a .730 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .525 slugging percentage over 89 at-bats, Byron Buxton has been their best power hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
San Francisco is 8-13 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 5.0 runs. Minnesota has gone 14-9 at their home park this season, averaging 5.0 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. In four meetings at Target Field, Minnesota is 3-1 with an average scoreline of 5.3-2.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Giants are third in the NL West, six games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Twins lead the AL Central by two games over the Tigers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Minnesota Twins (-155)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
