Minnesota Twins vs La Angels Angels Picks and Predictions September 9th 2024

First pitch for Saturday’s MarinDavid Festa and the Twins will look to end their three-game losing streak when they host the Angels on Monday. The forecast for the game in Minneapolis calls for scattered clouds and temperatures in the mid-80s. Reid Detmers will be on the mound for the Angels, who are 59-84 overall and 5th in the AL West.

Minnesota is heavily favored on the money line, with the odds sitting at -188 compared to the Angels at +158. Monday’s over/under line is at 8 runs, and the game can be seen on BSN.

Los Angeles vs. Minnesota Key Information

• Teams: Angels at Twins
• Where: Target Field Minneapolis
• Date: Monday, September 9th
• Betting Odds MIN -188 | LAA +158 O/U 8

The Angels Can Win If…

Left-hander Reid Detmers is on the mound for the Angels today as he faces the Twins on the road. He has made 13 starts this year and has a record of 3-6 with a 5.87 ERA. Opposing batters have hit .246 this season off Detmers, and he has a WHIP of 1.42. The last time he took the mound, Detmers finished with a no-decision, going six innings and giving up two earned runs on 10 hits. He pitched well in that outing, finishing with 10 strikeouts. Detmers has made three quality starts this year, and his ERA on the road is 6.73 compared to 6.01 at home.

After a slow start to the season, Taylor Ward has been swinging a hot bat of late, going 12/38 in his last 10 games with five homers. For the season, he is batting .244 and is the Angels’ top home run hitter. Zach Neto is also near the top of the home run leaderboard, with 20 homers and a batting average of .256.

As a team, the Angels are near the bottom of the league in most offensive categories, including runs per game, batting average, and OPS. Collectively, they are batting just .228 and are averaging only 3.9 runs per game. They have been slightly better at home, averaging 4 runs per contest.

• The Angels are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Angels are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Los Angeles has an over/under record of 5-5 in their last ten games.
• The Angels have an average of 4.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Angels are 2-8
• Looking back across the Angels last five games as the favorite, they are 1-4
• Los Angeles has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Angels have averaged 2.8 runs per game on offense

The Twins Can Win If…

David Festa is looking to bounce back from a rough outing vs. the Rays, where he took the loss. In that start, he went five innings and gave up two earned runs, seven hits, and one homer. Looking back over his last three outings, Festa has taken the loss in each one. He has made one quality start this year and is averaging 11.03 strikeouts per nine innings. Festa’s ERA for the season is 4.75, along with a record of 2-5. For the year, he has allowed eight homers at home and 5.55 at home.

Carlos Santana and Ryan Jeffers are tied for the team lead in home runs this season, but both players are hitting just .235 and .233, respectively. Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis have also gone deep 16 times this season. Buxton is batting .275, while Lewis comes in with a batting average of .248. Willi Castro is batting .246 and has gone deep 11 times this season.

Over his last seven games, Jose Miranda is batting .276, and Carlos Correa has a four-game hitting streak. However, Correa is batting just .200 over his last six games. Santana has two homers in his last six games but is just 4/20 in that stretch.

• The Twins are 4-6 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Twins are 0-5 vs. the run line.
• Minnesota has an over/under record of 3-6-1 in their last ten games.
• The Twins have an average of 2.0 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Twins are 3-7
• Looking back across the Twins last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• Minnesota has gone 0-3 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Twins have averaged 3.5 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Our lean for this Angels vs. Twins matchup is to take the Twins to win straight-up. We also have this as the 6th highest-scoring game of the day and the 2nd lowest combined hits projection. Our lean would be to take the over. Looking at today’s starters, we have David Festa as the 6th lowest strikeout pitcher in today’s slate compared to Reid Detmers, who is 3rd. We like the Twins offense’s ability to put the ball in play, and we have them finishing with the 4th most runs in today’s slate.

Twins Begin Crucial 6-Game Homestand vs. Angels: Playoff Dreams Hang by a Thread

The Minnesota Twins are gearing up for one of their most important stretches of the season as they kick off a six-game homestand on Monday night. Hosting the Los Angeles Angels for the first three games, this series at Target Field in Minneapolis is make-or-break for the Twins as they cling to their playoff dreams.

Minnesota Twins: Fighting for Postseason Survival

It’s crunch time for the Minnesota Twins (76-67). After a brutal weekend in Kansas City, where they were swept by the Royals in three games, the Twins have found themselves in a precarious position. They now sit five games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central and trail the Royals by 2.5 games for second place, with just 19 games left in the season. From here on out, every game counts.

The Twins’ struggles were on full display over the weekend, where they were outscored 11-2 by a Royals team that sits well below them in the standings. Manager Rocco Baldelli didn’t mince words after the latest 2-0 loss on Sunday. “That was an unprofessional series of baseball that we just played,” he said, clearly frustrated by his team’s lackluster performance.

With a disappointing 6-14 record in their last 20 games, the Twins are desperately in need of a turnaround if they want to keep their postseason hopes alive. The stakes couldn’t be higher as they head into this homestand.

Angels Looking to Play Spoiler: A Focus on Development

On the flip side, the Los Angeles Angels (59-84) are in a completely different situation. With no hope of making the playoffs, their focus has shifted to player development. Manager Ron Washington has made it clear that every game is a chance for the younger players to prove themselves.

“Anytime you’re on the field, you’re auditioning,” Washington said, making it clear that this is about preparing for the future. “It’s a learning experience, and I expect them to bring their best.” The Angels, while out of the running, are eager to play the spoiler and put a dent in the Twins’ playoff aspirations.

Pitching Showdown: Festa vs. Detmers

Monday’s game will feature a pitching duel between Minnesota’s right-hander David Festa (2-5, 4.75 ERA) and Los Angeles’ lefty Reid Detmers (3-6, 5.87 ERA).

Festa, a 24-year-old rookie, has shown flashes of potential this season, striking out 58 batters in 47 1/3 innings. However, consistency has been an issue, and he’s lost his last three starts. His most recent outing, a five-inning performance against the Tampa Bay Rays, saw him give up two runs on five hits. This game will be Festa’s first career start against the Angels, making it a pivotal moment as he looks to secure his spot in the rotation.

On the other side, Detmers has had his own ups and downs. He’s coming off one of his best performances of the year, where he allowed just two runs and struck out 10 over six innings against the Dodgers. However, his career numbers against the Twins have been rough, posting a 6.41 ERA in four starts, including a tough outing earlier this season where he gave up five runs on nine hits in just over five innings.

Can the Twins’ Offense Bounce Back?

One of the biggest concerns for the Twins heading into this series is their struggling offense. Over the last 20 games, their bats have gone cold, failing to provide the necessary run support for their pitchers. In their recent series against Kansas City, they managed only two runs across three games, leaving their playoff hopes teetering on the edge.

Catcher Ryan Jeffers spoke about the team’s offensive struggles, saying, “We’ve got to find a way. It’s not always about hitting homers or smashing the ball. Sometimes, it’s just about putting together scrappy at-bats and doing what it takes to win.” The Twins need to find that offensive spark, and fast, if they want to stay in the playoff race.

Keys to the Series for the Twins

• Pitching Must Step Up: David Festa has to deliver a strong performance in his first start against the Angels. Keeping the game close early on will be key.
• Offensive Firepower: Players like Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton need to find their rhythm. Their offensive production has been inconsistent, but a strong showing could turn the tide in the Twins’ favor.
• Capitalizing on Mistakes: The Angels, with many young and inexperienced players in their lineup, may make some mistakes. The Twins need to take advantage of those opportunities and convert them into runs.

Angels’ Chance to Play Spoiler

For the Angels, this series is all about playing spoiler while giving their younger players valuable experience. Even though they’re out of the playoff race, they can still shake things up by upsetting the Twins and making their path to the postseason even more difficult. Players like Nolan Schanuel and Zach Neto have a golden opportunity to shine and prove they belong in the big leagues.

Manager Ron Washington has made it clear that every game is a chance to learn and grow. While the Angels have nothing to lose, their young and hungry lineup poses a real threat to a Twins team struggling to find consistency.

Conclusion: A Make-or-Break Series for the Twins

As the Minnesota Twins gear up for this pivotal six-game homestand, starting with the Angels, their playoff chances are hanging in the balance. After a rough stretch, they need to win this series to stay within striking distance of the Guardians and Royals. The Angels may be out of the playoff picture, but they’re not about to roll over. Their young roster will be eager to prove themselves, making this a tough challenge for Minnesota. Stay in touch with all MLB expect picks.

For the Twins, it’s simple: If they want to make the playoffs, they need to rediscover their form, and fast. This homestand will likely determine whether their season ends in disappointment or with a shot at postseason glory.