The Minnesota Twins have been one of the best teams in baseball this season, but they are headed out West. Minnesota will travel to Los Angeles to take on Mike Trout and the Angels for a series that starts on Monday night. There is no doubt that the Angels have the best player in this series, but the Twins have built up one of the best rosters in the American League. It’s always difficult for Midwest teams to travel to the West Coast, but the Twins appear to be up for the challenge in this one.
Not only have the Twins been a great team all season long, but they have been playing great ball on the road. Minnesota has gone 15-8 on the road this season and bring a 30-16 record into this game. The Twins are on top of the American League Central Division by 4.5 games over the Cleveland Indians and look like real contenders this season.
Things haven’t gone well for the Los Angeles Angels this season, and they come into this matchup with a record of 22-24. The Angels definitely have plenty of time to get back into the playoff race, but they must start winning games soon. The Minnesota Twins are -122 over the Los Angeles Angels in this game.
Twins Are Playing Long Ball
The Minnesota Twins are hitting home runs at a record pace this season, and they have become one of the most feared lineups in the American League. Minnesota already has five games with at least five home runs this season, and they have power throughout their lineup. The Twins have eight different players who have socked at least seven home runs this season, with Eddie Rosario pacing the way with 13 long balls.
Minnesota has already hit 95 home runs this season, and their pitching staff has given up just 64 of them. There is no doubt that the Twins will be looking to play long ball in the series opener against the Angels.
Minnesota will also have the luxury of having one of their best pitchers on the mound in the series opener on Monday night. Jake Odorizzi has been great all season long for the Twins and comes into this game with a record of 6-2 and an earned run average of just 2.63. If Odorizzi can keep the Angels to three runs or less than the Twins offense should be able to do the rest.
Trout Paces Angels Offense Again
Angels outfielder Mike Trout is widely considered the best player in the Major Leagues, and he is off to another great start for Los Angeles. Trout is getting on base at a .468 clip and hit his 250th career home run over the weekend. Journeyman Tommy La Stella has also been terrific since putting on the Angels uniform. La Stella leads the team with 11 home runs and has also driven in 26 runs. The Angels have the potential to score a ton of runs as well, but their pitching staff has also been known to give them up.
Reliever Taylor Cole will be forced into the starting rotation for this game, and he likely won’t last long. Cole has been roughed up in his four appearances so far this season, bringing a 4.91 earned run average into this game. The Angels have a pitching staff earned run average of 4.78, and that likely won’t bode well against the mighty Twins.
Twins Win Series Opener
Playing on the West Coast is never easy for the Twins, but this team is just too good. Minnesota will take advantage of a spot starter in this game, and they are going to put up a ton of runs. Mike Trout always has the ability to lead his team, but he won’t be able to get the win by himself in this one. Bet the Minnesota Twins -122 over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night.