A critical matchup in the MLB is set to light up your Wednesday night, as the Texas Rangers (55-56) march to Target Field to take on the Minnesota Twins (56-56) for the middle game of their-three game set. As the race for the final wild card slot in the American League intensifies even further, expect plenty of emotions hovering around this battle. Which team will come out hungrier and earn the much-needed win?
Read on further for a full breakdown of this American League showdown. And while you’re at it, check out also our in-depth breakdown between the Pirates and Cardinals over in the NL.
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Texas Rangers vs. Minnesota Twins Preview
Where: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
When: Wednesday, August 12, 8:10 PM ET
Line: Texas Rangers (+103) vs. Minnesota Twins (-113); total: 9.0— view all MLB Lines
Betting on the Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers have lost their way as of late. Last night’s 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins marked their third defeat in four games, which obviously isn’t good. The Rangers are now 3.5 games behind the Angels for the final wild card spot in the American League. They’ll try to put themselves back on the winning track by tying the series up in Game 2 later tonight.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Getting the nod for the Rangers this evening is Nick Martinez, who is 7-6 with a 3.91 ERA on the year. Martinez is coming off a solid performance in a 7-6 triumph over the Astros on Wednesday night, wherein he only yielded one run and one hit in over five frames. But prior to this game, the 25-year-old was pretty awful, owning a 1-2 record and a high 6.55 ERA across his previous four starts. Texas was 1-3 during that stretch and is 0-5 in Martinez’s last five road games.
With Martinez still struggling to find some consistency, it’s crucial for the Rangers to back him up with enough runs on offense. That won’t likely be a problem at all, as they’re among the highest in the majors when it comes to runs scored (495).
Expect the combo of Prince Fielder and Mitch Moreland to deliver the goods at the plate. Fielder is 6-for-14 over his past three contests and is 10-for-28 (.357) with 12 RBIs opposite Twins starter Mike Pelfrey. Moreland, meanwhile, is 11-for-32 (.343) thus far in August and has been sizzling during road games this year with a .319 batting average.
This Minnesota Twins are looking to avoid missing the postseason for the fifth consecutive time this year. Their chances in doing so remain very possible after yesterday’s thrilling 3-2 victory in their series opener against the Texas Rangers. That win placed them within 3.0 games of the second wild card spot in the American League. The Twins will attempt to close the gap further with another win in Game 2.
Mike Pelfrey (5-7, 4.06 ERA), who is still searching for his first win since June 7, goes on the mound for the Twins. Pelfrey will be aiming to move on from a forgettable Friday night in Cleveland, wherein he gave up seven runs and 10 hits in just 3 2/3 frames despite getting the 10-9 triumph for his team. Prior to this game though, the 31-year-old veteran was superb as he delivered eight shutout innings in a losing effort against the Mariners on August 3.
To lead the charge on offense, the Twins will rely on the duo of Joe Mauer and Brian Dozier to carry most of the load. Mauer holds a team-best .268 batting average this year and is 2-for-6 (.333) against Martinez. Dozier, meanwhile, has gone 2-for-7 (.287) with a homer in the same matchup.
Writer’s Prediction:
The Rangers (+103) bounce back with a strong 7-2 victory.
