The Texas Rangers host the Minnesota Twins tonight, Thursday July 28th, for the final game of a four game series. The Twins are 5-2 SU against the Rangers in 2011. MLB oddsmakers have the Rangers as -150 moneyline home favourites over the Twins (+140) with the over/under set at 9.5 runs. Be sure to get your Minnesota Twins vs Texas Rangers prediction in now.
Minnesota (49-55, 23-30 V) has won five of their last ten games and has taken two of three in Texas. The Twins sit 6 games back from AL Central leading Detroit. They bounced back from Monday's 20-6 loss to take the next two games of the series by a combined score of 16-10. Joe Mauer hit his first homer of the year for Minnesota and is batting .377 with 11 RBIs over his last 11 games. Jason Kubel added three hits and three RBIs, and he's 6 for 13 with six RBIs in this series. Brian Duensing and three relievers combined to work Wednesday's 7-2 victory for Minnesota, which has won nine of 11 over Texas.
Scott Baker (8-5, 2.88 ERA) will try to win his fifth straight decision over the Rangers. Baker is on a 6-1 win streak with a 1.50 ERA over his last seven outings. He returned after a stint on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow strain and pitched five innings of scoreless three-hit ball in Saturday's 4-1 victory over Detroit. The Twins wanted to limit him to 75-80 pitches, and Baker threw 82. He hopes to be able to throw up to 100 on Thursday. The veteran right-hander is 4-0 with a 3.06 ERA in five starts against Texas (59-46) since the start of 2009. His lone complete game of the season came in an 8-1 home win over the Rangers on June 11 when he struck out seven in a five-hitter.
Texas (59-46, 34-21 H) has lost five of their last ten and has won three of six on home field. The Rangers lead the AL West by 2 games over the Angels. Offense wasn't a problem for the Rangers as they scored 28 runs through their first 13 innings in this series before being held to two over the last 13. Rangers catchers are 9 for 12 in this series, with Mike Napoli 4 for 5 and Yorvit Torrealba 5 for 7 with five RBIs. Nelson Cruz is 7 for 13 with five runs scored in the three games.
Matt Harrison (8-7, 3.05) yielded four runs over 6 2/3 innings and did not get a decision in Saturday's 5-4 victory over Toronto. Texas has won the last four starts by Harrison, who is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in those four games. The left-hander is 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA in two starts against Minnesota, although he only allowed two runs over six innings in a 6-1 loss June 12.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Twins are 5-0 in Bakers last 5 starts vs. Rangers.
Twins are 9-2 in the last 11 meetings.
Over is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings.
Twins are 5-1 in their last 6 games as an underdog of +110 to +150.
Rangers are 8-2 in their last 10 games as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
Rangers are 12-3 in their last 15 vs. a team with a losing record.
Rangers are 4-0 in Harrisons last 4 starts as a favorite of -151 to -200.
Rangers are 4-0 in Harrisons last 4 home starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Twins are 1-4 in Bakers last 5 road starts.
Minnesota Twins vs Texas Rangers
When: Thursday July 28th@8:05 PM ET
Pick: Rangers -150
Point-Spreads recommends you check out MLB Odds before the Minnesota Twins vs Texas Rangers game.
The Bottom Line: The Rangers will rebound if their relievers can help out. Be sure to get your Minnesota Twins vs Texas Rangers prediction in now.
