Free MLB Picks Today: Minnesota Twins vs Toronto Blue Jays 5/26/23

Free MLB Picks Today: Minnesota Twins vs Toronto Blue Jays 5/26/23
Fri 26th May 2023

The strikeout-prone Minnesota Twins (26-24) will have their work cut out for them at Target Field on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays (26-25) and Kevin Gausman, owner of one of this season’s best K/9 rates, for the opener of a three-game series.

The Blue Jays are in the midst of a seven-game road trip. They won only one out of four in their last series against the Rays, dropping the finale 6-3 on Thursday at Tropicana Field. Alejandro Kirk was 3 for 4 with one run.

The Twins are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They lost two of three against the Giants in their last series, taking the finale 7-1 on Wednesday at Target Field.

Ryan Jeffers went 1 for 2 with a solo home run and two walks. Willi Castro added a double and two runs. The teams are meeting for the first time this season.

In 2022, the Twins won four of the seven games between the teams, although they split their most recent four-game series at Target Field in August.

ON THE MOUND

Gausman (2-3, 3.14 ERA) is set for the start for Toronto. The RHP leads the AL in strikeouts (81). Gausman allowed two runs over eight innings in his last start, an 8-3 road defeat against the Orioles on Sunday.

He gave up six hits while striking out four and walking two in the no-decision. Over two starts against the Twins in 2022, Gausman was 0-1 with a 2.79 ERA over 9.2 innings. He had eight strikeouts and one walk.

For Minnesota, RHP Louie Varland (2-0, 4.18 ERA) gets the start. In his last start on Saturday, Varland got the win on the road against the Angels. He threw five innings and gave up two runs on six hits, striking out four and walking one in the 6-2 victory.

AT THE PLATE

The Toronto offense is averaging 4.8 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .266/.333/.422. Matt Chapman leads the team in OPS at .895. The third baseman is slashing .301/.379/.516 with seven home runs, 27 RBIs, and 26 runs over 50 games.

Over the last five games, though, Toronto has averaged 6.6 runs a game while performing better across the board (.340/.388/.521). Against righties like Varland this season, the Jays have a .768 OPS.

Kevin Kiermaier is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .915 OPS in 103 at-bats. Minnesota is slashing .230/.310/.407 for the season and averaging 4.6 runs per game. Byron Buxton leads the team with an .832 OPS.

The center fielder has 10 home runs, 23 RBIs, and 31 runs scored with a slash line of .238/.344/.488. The Twins have a .730 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .903 OPS over 128 at-bats, Buxton also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Toronto is 13-16 away from home in 2023, scoring 5.2 runs per game while allowing 5.1 runs. Minnesota has gone 15-10 at their home park this season, averaging 5.0 runs per game while surrendering 3.8.

The teams have split their last 10 games head-to-head at Target Field, though Toronto has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.2-3.9.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Blue Jays are fourth in the AL East, nine games behind the division-leading Rays. The Twins lead the AL Central by two games over the Tigers.

SportsTips’ MLB Pick:

Toronto Blue Jays (-155)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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