Free MLB Picks Today: San Francisco Giants vs Minnesota Twins 8/27/22

The Minnesota Twins (63-61) host the San Francisco Giants (61-63) at Target Field on Saturday. The Twins took Friday’s series opener 9-0. Joe Ryan threw six scoreless innings- striking out eight – to get the win. Kyle Garlick went 3 for 4 with a home run and three runs in the win. Carlos Correa added a home run, two runs, and two RBIs. Tommy La Stella was 1 for 3 for the Giants.

ON THE MOUND

Alex Cobb (4-6, 3.99 ERA) is in line to get the start for San Francisco. The right-hander allowed three runs over 6.2 innings in his last start, a 4-3 home defeat against the Rockies on August 20. He scattered 10 hits while striking out three in the no-decision. Cobb is making his first appearance against the Twins this season. Over two starts against the Twins in 2021, Cobb was 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA over 10 innings. He had eight strikeouts and one walk. Right-hander Sonny Gray (7-4, 3.10 ERA) is on the mound for Minnesota. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Giants. Gray made one start against the Giants in 2021, throwing five innings for the Reds in a 6-3 home defeat on May 17. He gave up five hits and walked two, while striking out three in the loss. In his last start on Monday, Gray took the loss at home against the Rangers. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out six and walking one in the 2-1 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, San Francisco has averaged only 3.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.4, while slashing worse across the board (.189/.259/.308). Against right-handed pitchers like Gray this season, the Giants have a .687 OPS. Joc Pederson is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .849 OPS in 259 at-bats. Minnesota is averaging only 3.6 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.4 for the season. The Twins have a .735 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .873 OPS over 322 at-bats, Luis Arraez has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

San Francisco is 27-34 in road games in 2022, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Minnesota has gone 36-28 at their home park this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 3.9.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Giants are third in the NL West, 26 games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Twins are second in the AL Central, three games behind the Guardians.