Free MLB Picks Today: Minnesota Twins vs San Diego Padres 5/9/23

The San Diego Padres (18-17) take one of the lowest-scoring offenses in the NL on the road to face the Minnesota Twins (19-16) at Target Field on Tuesday for the first of a three-game Interleague series. The Padres are embarking on a six-game road trip after wrapping up an eight-game homestand (5-3).

They won only one out of three in their last series against the Dodgers, dropping the finale 5-2 on Sunday at Petco Park. Manny Machado was 3 for 5 with a double, one run, and one RBI.

The Twins are playing the first of six games at home after finishing up a tough six-game road trip (2-4). They lost two of three against the Guardians in their last series, dropping the finale 2-0 on Sunday at Progressive Field.

Alex Kirilloff had Minnesota’s only hit, going 1 for 2 with two walks. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Padres won two of the three games between the teams.

ON THE MOUND

Michael Wacha (2-1, 5.46 ERA) is set for the start for San Diego. The RHP threw six scoreless innings in his last start, a 2-1 road defeat against the Reds on May 2. He scattered two hits while striking out three and walking two in the no-decision.

Over two starts against the Twins in 2022, Wacha was 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA over 11 innings. He had 12 strikeouts and three walks.RHP Louie Varland (0-0, 5.91 ERA) is on the mound for Minnesota.

In his last start on Wednesday, Varland took a no-decision on the road against the White Sox. He threw 4.2 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, striking out six and walking two in the 6-4 loss.

AT THE PLATE

The San Diego offense is averaging 4.1 runs per game for the season, third lowest in the NL, with a slash line of .233/.321/.396. Xander Bogaerts leads the team in OPS at .843. The left fielder is slashing .283/.378/.465 with six home runs, 15 RBIs, and 22 runs over 34 games.

Against right-handed pitchers like Varland this season, the Padres have a .684 OPS. Bogaerts also is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .971 OPS in 82 at-bats.

Minnesota is slashing .220/.300/.389 for the season and averaging 4.3 runs per game. Byron Buxton leads the team with ann .860 OPS.

The right fielder has eight home runs, 19 RBIs, and 21 runs scored with a slash line of .239/.338/.521. Minnesota is averaging only 3.2 runs per game in the last five with their slash line falling across the board (.150/.253/.281).

The Twins have a .700 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .944 OPS over 94 at-bats, Buxton also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

San Diego is 8-6 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.1 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Minnesota has gone 10-6 at Target Field this season, averaging 4.7 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. In seven games between the teams at Target Field, Minnesota is 6-1 with an average scoreline of 5.4-2.3.