At the beginning of the season, the Pirates were written off for dead. Pittsburgh blew out its management team and its payroll. A massive rebuild that will take years to complete has just begun. On the other hand, the Twins are coming off a breakthrough season. Minnesota posted its most wins since 1965. With that comes higher expectations and scrutiny. Neither opponents nor oddsmakers will be caught off guard in 2020. So far both the Pirates and Twins have met MLB betting expectations. Pittsburgh isn’t good enough to take advantage of the short schedule and expanded playoff.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Minnesota Twins
| Date and Time: | Tuesday, August 4, 2020, 2 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Pirates vs. Twins TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pirates | +1½ (-105) | 8½ (-115) | +184 |  |
| Twins | -1½ (-115) | 8½ (-105) | -197 | |
| ||||
Pittsburgh Pirates at Minnesota Twins SBG Odds Analysis
Gamblers want nothing to do with Pittsburgh. More empathetically the Twins will have a high sports betting price. Oddsmakers will not be generous to Minnesota backers.
Pittsburgh Pirates Team Overview and Pitching
To being with the Pirates are as bad as expected. Pittsburgh is 2-7 straight up with five games over the total. MLB metrics have the Pirates 27th for runs scored and 14th for earned run average. Pittsburgh’s bullpen ranks a respectable 13th. Of great concern is the 28th rank for quality starts. Not to mention 28th for fielding errors. Pittsburgh’s low payroll is getting what it paid for.
SP Joe Musgrove 0-2, 4.76 ERA, 11,1 IP, 9 H, 4 HR, 6 BB, 15 SO, .225 AVG, 1.00 WHIP, Closer Keone Kela is on the 10-day disabled list, DH Colin Moran .273 AVG, .314 OBP, .758 SLG, 1.072 OPS, 8 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 5 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB
Minnesota Twins Team Overview and Pitching
So far, the Twins are in top form at 7-2. Minnesota leads the American League Central. In sum, the Twins rank 12th for runs scored and fourth for staff ERA. Minnesota has the third-highest MLB home run total. Their ranking of 23rd for quality starts must improve. Yet an eighth-ranked bullpen covers for that.
SP Rich Hill 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 5.0 IP, 2H, 0 HR, 1 BB, 2 SO, .118 AVG, 0.60 WHIP, Closer, Taylor Rogers 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3 SV, 3 SVOPP, 3 IP, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 BB, 4 SO, .000 AVG, 0.00 WHIP, C Nelson Cruz .324 AVG, .378 OBP, .676 SLG, 1.055 OPS, 8 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 0 SB
Pittsburgh Pirates at Minnesota Twins Betting Trends
The Pirates are:
- 3-10 in their last 13 away games
- 8-2 over the total on the road
- 5-8 in their last 13 games at Target Field
- 8-3 over the total at Minnesota
The Twins are:
- 12-8 in their last 20 games at Target Field
- 3-7 under the total at home
- 13-7 overall head to head with the Pirates
- 7-2 over the total in their series with Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Pirates at Minnesota Twins SBG Free Pick
In sum, gamblers will flock to hide from the Pirates. Pittsburgh is a “go against” team for many MLB betting handicappers. Of major concern is the big Twins price tag. It pretty much forces a run line play. Fortunately, the Pirates don’t stoke much fear in doing that.
Pirates at Twins Best Bet: Minnesota Twins Run Line