Sonny Gray, one of this season’s toughest pitchers, leads the Minnesota Twins (27-26) into Minute Maid Park on Monday as they face off against the Houston Astros (31-21) for the opener of a three-game series.
The Twins just wrapped up a tough six-game homestand (2-4). They won only one out of three in their last series against the Blue Jays, dropping the finale 3-0 on Sunday at Target Field.
Matt Wallner was 2 for 2 with two walks. The Astros are back home for a seven-game homestand after finishing up a successful six-game road trip (4-2).
They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Athletics, taking the finale 10-1 on Sunday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Yordan Alvarez went 2 for 5 with two solo home runs. Jose Altuve went 3 for 5 with a home run and two runs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Twins have won two of three in the season series between the teams, although they suffered a 5-1 defeat in their last meeting on April 9 at Target Field. Hunter Brown got the win, giving up one run (0 ER) on two hits over seven innings and striking out seven.
ON THE MOUND
Gray (4-0, 1.82 ERA) is slated for the start for Minnesota. The right-hander leads MLB in ERA. Gray allowed two runs over five innings in his last start, a 4-3 road defeat against the Giants on Tuesday.
He scattered six hits while striking out six and walking two in the no-decision. Gray has made one previous start against the Astros this season, a 3-2 home victory on April 7.
He surrendered one run on four hits over seven innings, striking out 13 and walking one. For Houston, right-hander J.P. France (1-1, 3.43 ERA) is on the mound.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Twins. In his last start on Tuesday, France took the loss on the road against the Brewers. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up two runs (1 ER) on five hits, striking out eight and walking one in the 6-0 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Minnesota offense is averaging 4.5 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .231/.313/.410. Byron Buxton leads the team in OPS at .797. The center fielder is slashing .230/.332/.466 with 10 home runs, 23 RBIs, and 31 runs over 48 games.
Against right-handed pitchers like France this season, the Twins have a .738 OPS. Buxton also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .855 OPS in 138 at-bats.
Houston is slashing .244/.314/.380 for the season and averaging 4.5 runs per game. Alvarez leads the team with a .983 OPS. The left fielder has 14 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 33 runs scored with a slash line of .288/.402/.581.
The ‘Stros have a .686 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .974 OPS over 97 at-bats, Alvarez also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Minnesota is 11-14 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 3.6 runs. Houston has won six in a row at their home ballpark.
The ‘Stros are 14-11 at home this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 3.7. Houston is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the teams at Minute Maid Park with an average scoreline of 5.3-3.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Twins lead the AL Central by two games over the Tigers. The Astros are second in the AL West, three games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Minnesota Twins (+100)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
