Atlanta (66-47) at Minnesota (69-42)
When: Monday, August 5th, 2019
Where: Target Field,
Minneapolis, MN
Time: 8:10 ET | TV: FS North, FS Southeast
Opening Odds: Atlanta -130/10
Two first place teams with their sights set on October will battle in the opener of a three-game interleague series, as the Atlanta Braves visit the Minnesota Twins Monday night at Target Field. Some thought the Twins might fold under the pressure of the surging Cleveland Indians, but Minnesota continues to hit the ball out of the park to outscore their opponents. Their lead in the AL Central once reached double-digits but the hard-charging Indians have cut the lead to three games despite the Twins winning eight of their last 10 games. The Twins have hit at least one homer in 18 of the past 19 games and Nelson Cruz is leading the charge. The veteran DH went deep three times Saturday – his second three-homer game of the season – to increase his total 30 in 2019 with 19 of them coming since June 11th. Atlanta third baseman Josh Donaldson is right behind him with 11 dingers over that same time frame and is riding a seven game hitting streak. The National League East-leading Braves are coming off a disappointing split of a four-game home series against Cincinnati, as newly-acquired closer Shane Greene gave up a three-run homer in the 10th inning of Sunday’s 6-4 setback. Minnesota is coming off a 3-0 win over Kansas City on Sunday and have 46 home runs in their past 18 games and a major league-leading 217 for the season. The teams last met in 2016 with the road team taking all four meetings in a season series split.
Pitchers: Braves – Mike Soroka (10-2, 2.37 ERA) | Twins – Jake Odorizzi (12-5, 3.73)
Rookie Mike Soroka is surely on pace to grab some Cy Young and Rookie of the Year votes this Fall after his terrific beginning to his career. He just turned 22 years old and leads the majors in homers allowed per nine innings (0.52), second in the NL in ERA, eighth in WAR for pitchers (3.8) and eighth in WHIP (1.11). He limited Washington to one run on three hits over seven innings on Wednesday, five days after allowing one run on eight hits with one walk and five strikeouts in 4.2 frames against the Philadelphia Phillies.
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The second half has not been kind to Jake Odorizzi, who has been inconsistent with a pair of one-run outings boxed around a couple of duds. He’s coming off a five-inning, four-hit outing against Miami after surrendering 12 runs over nine innings in his previous two starts against Oakland and the New York Yankees. Odorizzi is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in two career appearances against the Braves back in 2015 as a member of the Rays.
Right now, I trust Soroka more than Odorizzi even though this Twins offense is clicking. Soroka keeps the ball in the park and the Braves offense should be able to get to Odorizzi.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for Monday. He is 102-73 +1728 units on the season after a 3-0 run!
Pick: Braves -105
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BETTING TRENDS:
Braves are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Braves are 8-2 in their last 10 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Braves are 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Braves are 19-7 in their last 26 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Braves are 13-5 in their last 18 games following a loss.
Braves are 5-2 in their last 7 interleague road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Braves are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
Braves are 15-6 in their last 21 Monday games.
Braves are 26-12 in their last 38 road games.
Braves are 19-39 in their last 58 interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.
Braves are 7-17 in their last 24 interleague road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Braves are 2-5 in their last 7 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
Braves are 2-5 in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Braves are 5-0 in Soroka’s last 5 starts during game 1 of a series.
Braves are 4-0 in Soroka’s last 4 starts with 4 days of rest.
Braves are 11-1 in Soroka’s last 12 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Braves are 12-2 in Soroka’s last 14 road starts.
Braves are 5-1 in Soroka’s last 6 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Braves are 18-4 in Soroka’s last 22 starts.
Braves are 17-4 in Soroka’s last 21 starts on grass.
Braves are 4-1 in Soroka’s last 5 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Twins are 5-0 in their last 5 during game 1 of a series.
Twins are 4-0 in their last 4 interleague home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Twins are 6-1 in their last 7 overall.
Twins are 6-1 in their last 7 games on grass.
Twins are 6-1 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Twins are 5-1 in their last 6 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Twins are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a win.
Twins are 4-1 in their last 5 interleague home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Twins are 12-4 in their last 16 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Twins are 5-2 in their last 7 home games.
Twins are 49-22 in their last 71 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Twins are 6-13 in their last 19 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
Twins are 4-9 in their last 13 vs. National League East.
Twins are 6-0 in Odorizzi’s last 6 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Twins are 14-4 in Odorizzi’s last 18 home starts.
Twins are 14-4 in Odorizzi’s last 18 starts.
Twins are 13-4 in Odorizzi’s last 17 starts on grass.
Twins are 9-3 in Odorizzi’s last 12 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Twins are 8-3 in Odorizzi’s last 11 starts during game 1 of a series.
Twins are 5-2 in Odorizzi’s last 7 starts with 5 days of rest.
Over is 4-0 in Braves last 4 interleague road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 9-2-1 in Braves last 12 during game 1 of a series.
Over is 4-1 in Braves last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 4-1 in Braves last 5 interleague road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 8-2 in Braves last 10 interleague road games.
Over is 24-7 in Braves last 31 interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 13-4-1 in Braves last 18 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 15-5-1 in Braves last 21 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 6-2 in Braves last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 6-2 in Braves last 8 vs. American League Central.
Over is 19-7 in Braves last 26 interleague games.
Under is 5-2-1 in Braves last 8 Monday games.
Under is 9-4-1 in Braves last 14 games following a loss.
Over is 9-4-1 in Braves last 14 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 3-0-1 in Soroka’s last 4 starts during game 1 of a series.
Under is 3-0-1 in Soroka’s last 4 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 7-2 in Soroka’s last 9 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 6-2-1 in Soroka’s last 9 road starts.
Under is 5-2 in Soroka’s last 7 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Twins last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 4-0 in Twins last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 4-0 in Twins last 4 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 6-1 in Twins last 7 home games.
Under is 5-1-1 in Twins last 7 Monday games.
Over is 4-1 in Twins last 5 on grass.
Under is 4-1-1 in Twins last 6 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Twins last 5 interleague home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 4-1 in Twins last 5 overall.
Under is 5-2 in Twins last 7 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Under is 5-2 in Twins last 7 interleague home games.
Over is 5-2 in Twins last 7 vs. National League East.
Under is 15-7-1 in Twins last 23 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 7-1-1 in Odorizzi’s last 9 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Odorizzi’s last 6 starts during game 1 of a series.
Over is 8-3 in Odorizzi’s last 11 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 5-2 in Odorizzi’s last 7 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 5-2-1 in Odorizzi’s last 8 interleague starts.
Under is 10-4-1 in Odorizzi’s last 15 home starts.
Under is 7-3 in Odorizzi’s last 10 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Braves are 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Minnesota.
Braves are 7-2 in the last 9 meetings.
Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Minnesota.