Astros vs Twins Odds, Picks & Starting Pitchers (April 8)

• The Minnesota Twins are slight -115 home favorites over the Houston Astros in their American League game slated for Saturday, April 8
• Houston is 7-2 straight up in the last nine games against Minnesota
• The 3-5 Astros have played entirely against AL Central opposition so far this season

As they prepare for the second game of their three-game set against the Minnesota Twins (5-2), the Houston Astros (3-5) have probably had their fill of the AL Central Division.

The reigning World Series champions are opening the season with 10 straight games against AL Central opponents and it’s not going well.

They split a four-game set with the Chicago White Sox. Then Houston dropped two of three at home to the Detroit Tigers. Friday, they were 3-2 losers to the Twins in the opener of this series.

Astros vs Twins Odds

Oddsmakers are expecting things to get worse on Saturday. It’s Minnesota that is set as slight -115 home favorites. The Astros were 26-8 SU against the AL Central last season.

First pitch on Saturday, April 8 at Target Field is set for 2:10pm ET. Houston was 6-0 SU against the Twins in 2022.

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CLAIM OFFER

The MLB public betting splits on this game are favoring the Astros in the spread splits. Houston is drawing support from 87% of handle and 51% of bets. The moneyline splits are showing a difference of opinion among the people. There’s 52% of handle with the hometown Twins, while 58% of bets are backing the visiting Astros.

When it comes to the total of 7.5 runs, again there is public opinion division. The under is liked by 53% of handle. However the over is garnering 67% of bets. Friday’s 3-2 Twins victory was ending a six-game run of overs for the Astros. Minnesota is 2-4-1 on the total this season.

As defending champions, it comes as no surprise that the Astros are the +400 chalk in the World Series odds. The Twins are the co-15th choice in this betting market at +4000.

Odds as of April 7 at Caesars Sportsbook.

Ryan Solid In First Outing

Continuing on from what was a strong spring training performance, Twins right-hander Joe Ryan was solid in his first start of the season. He allowed three hits and one earned run on a solo homer over six innings, getting the win in a 7-4 verdict over the Kansas City Royals.

Joe Ryan tossed a gem for #MNTwins today. He is one of four 2018 draft picks taken after the fifth round with double digit wins.

Codi Heuer (Round 6)
Drew Rasmussen (Round 6)
Joe Ryan (Round 7)
Tarik Skubal (Round 9)

Of those four, only Skubal is with the team who drafted him. pic.twitter.com/W2jC7u6Yms

— Twins Gems (@TwinsGems) April 3, 2023

Ryan posted a 2.16 ERA in five spring starts. He also won his last three decisions of 2022. Ryan didn’t allow a run in any of those victories, a span covering 20.2 innings pitched.

Garcia vs Ryan

Astros right-hander Luis Garcia wasn’t as impressive for openers. He was roughed up for seven hits and three earned runs over five innings.

Taking the loss in a 6-3 setback to the White Sox, Garcia’s 5.40 ERA is right around the 4.66 ERA he posted during spring training. The loss ended a personal seven game winning streak for Garcia.

Pena Roughed Up Ryan

Astros shortstop Jeremy Ryan drove in a pair of runs off Ryan last May 10 in a 5-0 Houston victory. He’s 1-for-2 (.500) when facing Ryan, as are first baseman Jose Abreu and third baseman Alex Bregman.

Astros vs Twins Recent Results

Minnesota second baseman Nick Gordon is 3-for-6 (.500) off of Garcia. Twins catcher Christian Vazquez is 2-for-5 (.400) with an RBI.

Astros vs Twins Pick & Prediction

Garcia was 2-0 against the Twins last season, including a 5-0 victory May 12 at Target Field. He’s 3-1 with a 2.66 ERA in four career starts facing Minnesota. However, Garcia is just 1-1 with a 2.89 in two starts at Target Field.

Luis Garcia with some nice work to get out of the 2nd.
Join us for some Sunday baseball from MMP.@astros #Ready2Reign pic.twitter.com/ZeK0076pss

— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) April 2, 2023

Ryan is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in one prior start against Houston. That was at Target Field, where the Twins are 2-7 SU in the last nine games vs Houston.

Pick: Houston Astros ML (-105)