Minnesota Twins vs La Angels Picks and Predictions September 10th 2024

From Target Field in Minneapolis, we have the Angels and Twins facing off in an AL matchup. This one is getting started at 7:40 PM ET, and it is being televised on BSW.

The Angels are 5th in the AL West with a record of 60-84, while the Twins have lost four straight and are 3rd in the AL Central at 76-68. Tuesday’s money line odds have the Twins at -250, while the Angels are the underdog at +207. The over/under line is currently at 8 runs.

Los Angeles vs. Minnesota Key Information

• Teams: Angels at Twins
• Where: Target Field Minneapolis
• Date: Tuesday, September 10th
• Betting Odds MIN -250 | LAA +207 O/U 8

The Angels Can Win If…

Griffin Canning will be looking to build off his last outing, where he faced the Dodgers and picked up the win. In that September 4th start, he went 6 2/3 innings and gave up just one earned run. Looking at his overall numbers, Canning has made 27 starts and six of them have been quality starts. His record for the season is 5-12, and he has an ERA of 5.02. So far, Canning has allowed a total of 25 home runs and is averaging 6.75 strikeouts per nine innings. This year, he has a BB/9 figure of 3.35.

So far this season, the Angels offense has been one of the worst in the league, averaging just 3.9 runs per game, which is 27th in the MLB. Not only are they not scoring many runs, but they are also near the bottom of the league in most key offensive categories, including team batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. As a team, they are also just 18th in home runs.

One bright spot for the Angels has been the play of Taylor Ward of late, as he has gone 10/26 in his last seven games with three homers. For the season, he is batting .248 with a team-high 22 homers. Zach Neto is also having a good season at the plate, as he is batting .256 with 20 homers.

• 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 5-4-1 in their last ten games.
• The Angels have an average of 4.0 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Angels are 3-7
• 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 3.0 runs per game on offense

The Twins Can Win If…

Pablo López has been pitching well for the Twins, as he has won his last three starts. Most recently, he faced the Rays and picked up the win, going 6 2/3 innings and giving up three earned runs. In that outing, he had nine strikeouts. Looking back over his last three starts, López has allowed a total of three earned runs. For the season, he is 14-8 with a 4.05 ERA. Opponents are batting .238 off López this year. The right-hander has made 16 quality starts and is averaging 9.59 strikeouts per nine innings.

Carlos Santana and Ryan Jeffers are tied for the team lead in home runs, but both players are batting under .240 this season. Santana has really struggled of late, hitting just .192 over his last eight games. However, Jose Miranda has been hot of late, going 11/37 in his last nine games. This stretch has pushed his season average up to .297.

Overall, the Twins are 11th in runs scored, averaging 4.7 runs per game. As a team, they are batting .249, which is 10th in the league. Currently, they are 8th in home runs and have the 6th best isolated power figure in the league.

• The Twins are 3-7 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 3-5-2 in their last ten games.
• The Twins have an average of 1.6 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 1-4
• 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

Rocco Baldelli Urges Twins to Turn Things Around

The Minnesota Twins are in a rough spot, dropping four straight games as they head into the second game of their series against the Los Angeles Angels. Monday’s 6-2 loss only added to their recent struggles. The Twins (76-68) have now lost 15 of their last 21 games, and their grip on a playoff spot is starting to slip.

Manager Rocco Baldelli isn’t sugarcoating the situation. After getting swept by the Kansas City Royals over the weekend, Baldelli called for his team to step it up as the regular season winds down. Following Monday’s loss to the Angels, Baldelli remained optimistic but knows time is running out. “Maybe it comes tomorrow, maybe it comes the next day,” Baldelli said. “We’re going to feel good about it when it comes.”

The Twins are six games behind the first-place Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central, and 2 1/2 games behind the second-place Royals. While they still hold a three-game lead for the final AL wild-card spot, their recent form has raised concerns.

Injuries Taking Their Toll on the Twins

Injuries have been a huge part of the Twins’ struggles. Key players like star outfielder Byron Buxton and shortstop Carlos Correa have been sidelined for extended periods, and the team has sorely missed their presence. Buxton, out since mid-August with right hip inflammation, is working his way back but hasn’t set a return date. Meanwhile, Correa, out since July with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, is hoping to make a comeback soon.

The Twins are also without Joe Ryan, Max Kepler, and Manuel Margot, which has further tested their depth as the playoff race heats up.

Angels Eye Series Win with Griffin Canning on the Mound

On the other side, the Los Angeles Angels (60-84) have nothing to lose at this point in the season. Sitting near the bottom of the AL standings, they’re playing for pride—but that doesn’t mean they’re not competing. After Monday’s 6-2 win, the Angels are looking to secure the series with right-hander Griffin Canning (5-12, 5.02 ERA) taking the mound on Tuesday.

Canning is coming off one of his best starts of the season, having allowed just one run over 6 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, his history against the Twins isn’t as strong. In his lone career start against Minnesota back in May 2021, Canning allowed four runs in just two innings. Still, after his recent form, the Angels are hopeful he can help them take another win in Minneapolis.

Twins Lean on Pablo Lopez to End the Slump

The Twins need a win, and fast. Enter right-hander Pablo Lopez (14-8, 4.05 ERA), who’s been in great form lately and could be just what Minnesota needs to break the streak. Lopez has won his last three starts, beating the Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Rays, and has posted a stellar 6-1 record with a 2.16 ERA in his last nine outings.

Lopez has had some success against the Angels in the past, going 2-1 with a 4.76 ERA in three starts. In his most recent outing against them in April, he gave up four runs but still earned the win. The Twins will be leaning heavily on him to keep their playoff hopes alive and snap their losing streak.

What’s at Stake for the Twins

With just 18 games left in the regular season, the Twins are running out of time to right the ship. Every game matters as they cling to their wild-card spot, and their recent slump has allowed other teams to creep up in the standings.

The Twins need Pablo Lopez to keep his hot streak going, but they also need some help on offense—especially with key players still sidelined. The clock is ticking, and Minnesota needs to break out of their funk to keep their playoff dreams alive.

As the Twins battle through injuries and a rough patch of form, Tuesday’s game against the Angels is crucial. With Pablo Lopez on the mound and Griffin Canning looking to build on his recent success, this matchup could be pivotal for Minnesota’s playoff push. The Angels are playing loose, but the pressure is all on the Twins as they try to stop the skid and get back on track.

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The Lean

Our lean for a money line pick would be to take the Twins to come out on top at home vs. the Angels. As for how we would play the over/under line, we would go with the over, as this is projected to be the 5th lowest-scoring game of today’s slate, and this one has the lowest total hits projection. Minnesota starter Pablo López has the 6th best innings pitched projection among today’s starters.