Sportsbook handicappers are trying to figure out the edge for the Minnesota Twins at their new home ball park. The Twins had a big edge at home in the Metrodome and it will be interesting to see how big of an edge they have and how it will affect the online sportsbook odds at the new Target Field.
Sportsbook odds will favor the Twins a lot this season at Target Field but it remains to be seen how big of an edge they will have. The Twins play their home opener on Monday against Boston in baseball odds at the online sportsbook. Target Field is outdoors but the dimensions are similar to the Metrodome. “Good baseball players can play anywhere,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “We know the Dome was an advantage, but it was more of an advantage because other teams hated going in there and playing.” Boston’s Bill Hall doesn’t believe the Twins will have as big of an edge at Target Field. “I think it’s a neutral field now. I don’t think they get an advantage,” Hall said. “But I still feel like they are going to be a good team on that field.”
Minnesota won two World Series and five division titles in their last eight years in the Metrodome. That will be tough to duplicate at the 39,500-seat-capacity Target Field. “They’re going to pack this place and be behind this team the same way,” Gardenhire said. “They’re what lifts our spirits and lift you up during the course of the game. So we’re moving over with our fans to our ballpark, and believe me we can make this just as intimidating as the other place.”
The Twins could now have rain delays in addition to colder temperatures. They only play three night games in sportsbook baseball odds before May 3rd though. Other teams are looking forward to the new field as anything is better than the Metrodome. “I hated that dome,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said, “You couldn’t see the ball when it went up. You had those speakers hanging off the thing. I felt like I was in an office building.”
Right field at the new Target Field will have a 23-foot wall which will make things interesting vs. baseball sportsbook odds. “I’m sure as the summer goes along you’ll see a few wacky things,” Gardenhire said. Sportsbook handicappers note that left-center field is shorter at 377 feet compared to the 385 feet at the Metrodome.