Pablo Lopez, one of the early season’s stingiest pitchers, is set to take the mound for the Minnesota Twins (11-9) as they host the Washington Nationals (6-13) at Target Field on Saturday.
The Nationals took Friday’s series opener 3-2. Reliever Erasmo Ramirez threw one scoreless inning to get the win, and Kyle Finnegan picked up his fourth save with a scoreless ninth.
Joey Meneses was 1 for 4 with a solo home run in the win. Joey Gallo went 1 for 1 with a solo home run and two walks for the Twins.
ON THE MOUND
Chad Kuhl (0-1, 8.59 ERA) is set to take the mound for Washington. The righty allowed five runs over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 6-4 road defeat against the Guardians on April 15.
He was charged with the loss, scattering seven hits while striking out two and walking three. For Minnesota, righty Lopez (1-1, 1.35 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Nationals.
Lopez made three appearances against the Nationals in 2022, all starts, striking out 13 and walking seven over 15.1 innings (1-0, 2.93). In his last start on Sunday, Lopez took the loss on the road against the Yankees. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on seven hits, striking out seven and walking one in the 2-0 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Washington has averaged 2.8 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 3.4. Against righties like Lopez this season, the Nats have a .573 OPS, second lowest in MLB. Jeimer Candelario is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .815 OPS in 50 at-bats.
Minnesota is averaging only 4.2 runs per game in the last five, consistent with their season average. The Twins have a .689 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .836 OPS over 54 at-bats, Byron Buxton has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Washington is 4-4 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 3.8 runs. Minnesota has gone 4-3 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 3.6 runs per game while surrendering 3.4. Washington is 3-1 in four games between the teams at Target Field with an average scoreline of 5.3-3.8.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, seven games behind the division-leading Braves. The Twins lead the AL Central by zero games over the Guardians.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Minnesota Twins -1.5 (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
