Texas Rangers vs Minnesota Twins Picks and Predictions August 18th 2024

On Sunday at 2:35, the Twins and Rangers will face off in an AL matchup. This one is being played at Globe Life Field in Arlington, and the Twins are the slight money line favorite, with their odds sitting at -121 compared to the Rangers at +102. The over/under line is currently at 8 runs.

Minnesota will be looking to keep their three-game winning streak alive with Pablo Lopez on the mound, while the Rangers are starting Tyler Mahle. Texas is 3rd in the AL West, while the Twins are 2nd in the AL Central. BSSW is carrying this game on TV.

Pablo López is getting the start for the Twins today as he faces the Rangers on the road. He has made 24 starts this season and has a record of 11-8 with a 4.67 ERA. Looking at his overall numbers, López has a WHIP of 1.15 and opponents are batting .240 this season. In his 24 starts, he has turned in 12 quality starts and is averaging 9.93 strikeouts per nine innings. The right-hander most recently faced the Royals, where he picked up the win, going six innings and giving up two earned runs. Before that, he had given up at least four earned runs in three straight starts.

Carlos Santana and Ryan Jeffers come into the game as the Twins’ top home run hitters, with 17 and 18 homers, respectively. Both players also sit atop the team’s RBI leaderboard. However, Santana is batting just .241 this season and has gone 3/22 over his last seven games. Jeffers’ batting average isn’t much better, as he is hitting just .226 for the year.

Willi Castro has hit two home runs in his last eight games and has gone 7/30 over that stretch. For the season, he is batting .259 and is 3rd on the team with 47 RBIs. Byron Buxton has also been swinging the bat well of late, going 3/11 with two homers over his last three games.

Tyler Mahle will be making his 3rd start of the season for the Rangers, and it will be his first home start of the year. He has a loss and a no-decision so far, with his most recent start coming against the Red Sox, where he went 4 2/3 innings and gave up 2 earned runs.

Adolis García has been swinging a hot bat for the Rangers of late, hitting .345 over his last seven games, including two home runs. Corey Seager has been the Rangers’ best hitter this season, batting .271 with a team-high 26 homers and 63 RBIs. Seager’s 63 RBIs are the best mark on the team.

As a team, the Rangers are averaging 4.2 runs per game and have been a better offensive team on the road this season. Overall, they are 18th in scoring and have the league’s 15th ranked home run total. Texas is also one of the league’s best teams at avoiding strikeouts.

The Minnesota Twins are on the brink of completing a four-game sweep against the Texas Rangers as they face off in the series finale on Sunday afternoon in Arlington, Texas. Riding high on momentum, the Twins have taken the first three games of the series and are looking to keep the heat on the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians.

Twins Riding High in Playoff Push

The Minnesota Twins are hitting their stride at just the right time, winning five of their last six games and closing the gap to just two games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central. They also hold the American League’s second wild-card spot, making Sunday’s game crucial for maintaining their playoff positioning.

Their latest victory came on Saturday, where they rallied late to secure a 5-2 win. Down 2-1 in the eighth inning, Willi Castro delivered a clutch two-run single, helping the Twins pull ahead. Castro’s performance showcases the team’s depth and resilience, even as they deal with injuries to key players like Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa.

“Everybody here trusts everybody,” Castro said. “If we play the way we’ve been playing the past couple of games, we’re going to be in a good spot.”

With the team now 17 games above .500 for the first time this season, the Twins are proving they have the depth and determination needed to return to the postseason.

Pablo Lopez Aims to Secure the Sweep

Pablo Lopez, who has been a reliable presence in the Twins’ rotation, will take the mound on Sunday looking to win his fourth start in five outings. Lopez, holding an 11-8 record with a 4.67 ERA, allowed just two earned runs over six innings in his last start against the Kansas City Royals, leading the Twins to an 8-3 victory.

However, Lopez has struggled against the Rangers in his career, with a 0-2 record and a 9.82 ERA in three starts. Overcoming these past difficulties will be crucial as Lopez looks to help the Twins complete the sweep and continue their push toward the playoffs.

Rangers Reeling Amid Offensive Woes

The Texas Rangers are in the midst of a serious slump, having lost three straight games and 16 of their last 21. Their offense has been a significant issue, especially in this series, where 21 of their 24 hits have been singles, leading to just seven runs scored over three games.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged the team’s struggles but emphasized the importance of perseverance. “We have a responsibility to come out here and keep trying to win ballgames,” Bochy said. “You have to power through this.”

After a strong stretch earlier in the season, the Rangers now find themselves 11 games behind the first-place Houston Astros in the AL West and 12 games under .500, marking a significant downturn from their earlier performance.

Tyler Mahle Faces Former Team in Must-Win Start

Tyler Mahle will get the start for the Rangers on Sunday, facing his former team for the first time since leaving the Twins. Mahle, who has made just two starts this season after returning from injury, holds a 0-1 record with a 2.79 ERA. In his most recent outing, he allowed two earned runs over 4 2/3 innings in a 5-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

Mahle’s familiarity with the Twins could work to his advantage, but his limited action this season raises questions about his ability to deliver a strong performance. In four career starts against the Twins, Mahle has a 1-0 record with a 4.58 ERA.

Game Implications: Twins Look to Maintain Momentum, Rangers Desperate for a Win

For the Twins, completing the sweep would not only keep them within striking distance of the Guardians but also strengthen their grip on the wild-card spot. With key players sidelined, maintaining their current form is crucial as they aim for a deep postseason run.

The Rangers, on the other hand, are in dire need of a win to stop their slide and regain some confidence. A strong outing from Mahle could help Texas avoid the sweep and potentially spark a late-season turnaround.

Conclusion: Twins Poised for Sweep, Rangers Seek Redemption

As the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers clash in the series finale, the Twins are in prime position to complete the sweep and continue their climb in the playoff race. Pablo Lopez’s performance will be key as he looks to overcome his past struggles against the Rangers. Meanwhile, the Rangers are desperate to end their losing streak, with Tyler Mahle facing his former team in a must-win start. Sunday’s game is set to be a pivotal moment for both teams as they navigate the final stretch of the season.

Even though we have this one as the 4th lowest-scoring game of the day, we are leaning towards taking the over. As for a straight-up pick, we like the Twins to come out on top. Minnesota’s offense is projected to have the 5th worst hits figure, and Tyler Mahle is our 4th ranked starting pitcher in terms of strikeouts.