Alex Cobb, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, leads the San Francisco Giants (22-24) into Target Field on Monday as they match up against the Minnesota Twins (25-22) to open a three-game Interleague series.
The Giants are playing their first of seven games on the road after closing out a productive six-game homestand (5-1). They won two out of three in their last series against the Marlins, taking the finale 7-5 on Sunday at Oracle Park.
J.D. Davis was 2 for 3 with a home run and a double. He scored two runs and drove in two. The Twins are playing the first of six games at home after concluding a difficult six-game road trip (2-4).
They lost two of three against the Angels in their last series, dropping the finale 4-2 on Sunday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Alex Kirilloff went 1 for 4 with a solo home run.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Twins won all three games between the teams.
ON THE MOUND
Cobb (3-1, 1.70 ERA) is slated to get the start for San Francisco. The righty 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 Tuesday.
He gave up five hits while striking out three and walking five in the no-decision. 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 Bailey Ober (3-0, 1.85 ERA) gets the ball. In his last start on Tuesday, Ober got the win on the road against the Dodgers. He threw six innings and gave up one run on six hits, striking out six and walking one in the 5-1 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The San Francisco offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .240/.316/.409. LaMonte Wade Jr. leads the team in OPS at .907. The left fielder is slashing .260/.428/.480 with seven home runs, 15 RBIs, and 21 runs over 44 games.
Against righties like Ober this season, the Giants have a .760 OPS. Davis is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .965 OPS in 95 at-bats. Minnesota is slashing .232/.311/.409 for the season and averaging 4.7 runs per game.
Byron Buxton leads the team with ann .828 OPS. The center fielder has nine home runs, 21 RBIs, and 30 runs scored with a slash line of .235/.344/.484. The Twins have a .738 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .898 OPS over 118 at-bats, Buxton also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
San Francisco is on a three-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 7-13 in 2023. The Giants have scored 4.9 runs per game away from home, while allowing 5.3 runs.
Minnesota has gone 14-8 at their home park this season, averaging 5.2 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. Minnesota is unbeaten in three games between the teams at Target Field with an average scoreline of 6.7-1.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Giants are third in the NL West, seven games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Twins lead the AL Central by three games over the Tigers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Minnesota Twins (-150)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
