Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Minnesota Twins Preview
Where: Target Field, Minneapolis, MN
When: Friday, August 18, 2017, 8:10 PM ET
Line: Arizona Diamondbacks (-116) at Minnesota Twins (+106); total: 9.0 – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: FSAZ, FSNO
Betting on the Arizona Diamondbacks (67-54)
The Arizona Diamondbacks finally snapped their two-game losing streak with a resounding 4-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Thursday. Patrick Corbin pitched 8.1 innings of shutout ball to help the D-backs return to the top of the NL Wild Card standings. The Diamondbacks will look to make it back-to-back wins when they lock horns with the struggling Minnesota Twins tonight.
Starting for Arizona in the series opener is Zack Godley (5-5, 2.95 ERA). He was solid in his last start against the Chicago Cubs allowing just two runs on four hits in 5.2 innings of work. The D-backs couldn’t turn Godley’s strong performance into a victory, however, as they suffered a gut-wrenching 7-2 loss. Godley has been impeccable in his last four starts, going 2-1 with a 1.78 ERA for Arizona. Friday’s showdown will be his first start against the Minnesota Twins.
That will not faze Godley, though, as he has been impressive away from home lately. The right-hander has a 15-inning scoreless streak on the road, spanning three starts. Godley can’t do it all alone, though, and he needs the Arizona hitters to contribute on the offensive end as well tonight. Expected to lead the D-backs in that department is Paul Goldschmidt. He’s been doing it all for Arizona this season, leading the team not only in homers but also in hits, RBIs, batting average and on-base percentage. The NL MVP candidate has hit four home runs in his last nine games.
Betting on the Minnesota Twins (60-59)
Starting for the Twins in the opening game of this three-game set is Ervin Santana (12-7, 3.28 ERA). He lasted just five innings in his last start against the Detroit Tigers, allowing four runs and seven hits. The Twins still managed to pick up a 6-4 victory in that contest as they recorded their third consecutive win with Santana as their starter. The Dominican Republic star is now 8-2 with a 2.59 ERA in 10 road starts this campaign. The problem for Santana this season has been his home form. The 34-year-old is just 4-5 with a 4.01 ERA in 10 starts at Target Field.
With Santana still a big question mark at this point, the onus is on the Minnesota hitters to provide some much-needed runs tonight. One guy who’s swinging the bat well for the Twins at the moment is Eddie Rosario. The left fielder was just selected as the AL player of the week. The 25-year-old has been on fire this month, amassing a .340 batting average (18-of-53) with five homers and 12 RBIs. Rosario went 1-of-5 in Minnesota’s 4-2 win over Cleveland last night.
Writer’s Prediction
The Twins (+106) edge past the D-backs, 5-3.
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