Ryan Hodges
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The reigning World Series champion Astros had an unexpectedly up and down season. A few injuries and the emergence of other division rivals did not make it easy on Houston, but they won the division and they are back in the playoffs with a chance to repeat. The Twins have other ideas as they have finally broken through with their first playoff win(s) in nearly two decades. In a series between a team with loads of playoff pedigree and a team with almost none, this will be a series to enjoy.
If you’re looking to have some action on this game, check out our Twins vs Astros Same Game Parlay below for their matchup on Saturday. You can also read our MLB predictions for picks on every game today.
Astros ML (-155)
Under 8.5 (-145)
Alex Bregman 2+ total bases (+145)
Same Game Parlay odds: +581
Astros ML (-155)
Until the Astros show any signs of cracking in the playoffs, they are as reliable as a team gets. This team has had a regular appointment with the postseason for all but one year since 2015. In that span, they have won 4 pennants and 2 World Series titles. When it comes to the Astros in the playoffs, they are just too difficult to fade. It also does not hurt that Houston enters this series in solid form.
The Astros have been plying playoff style baseball for the better part of the month. There was a point in September where there was a realistic chance they did not make the playoffs due to the Rangers and Mariners joining a 3-way battle for a playoff spot. Houston won a very important 5 out of 6 games to end the season and clinch the ALDS and a first round bye. Look for them to continue their strong postseason play.
Under 8.5 (-145)
The under has been rolling for both of these teams lately. The total has gone under in 4 out of the Twins’ last 6 games. For the Astros, the over under is 3-5-2 in their last 10 games. Solid pitching has been a primary driver behind the low totals and this matchup sets up for more of the same. Bailey Ober will start for the Twins and Justin Verlander will get the start for the Astros.
In his last 4 starts, Bailey Ober has posted a 2.08 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 21.2 innings of work. In 144.1 innings pitched this year across 26 starts, he had a 3.43 ERA and 146 strikeouts. Ober has been a very steady, reliable pitcher for the Twins when they needed it most. His counterpart, well, we all know the pedigree of Justin Verlander. His consistent success, accolades, and overall statistics year over year speak for itself. He should do his part in bringing a low total. Game 1 has the makings of pitcher’s duel.
You can also check out today’s YRFI/NRFI best bets.
Alex Bregman 2+ total bases (+145)
As mentioned, the Astros are enjoying quite the run of postseason success year after year. Alex Bregman has been a major contributor in all of those runs since his 2017. Among 6 years and 17 playoff series under Bregman’s belt, his best performances have come in the ALDS. In 23 games across 6 ALDS appearances, he is hitting .356 with an 1.109 OPS, 7 home runs, and 18 RBI’s.
Alex Bregman ended the season on a 5-game hitting streak going 7-for-20 and collecting 13 total bases. It would not be surprising to see him find a way to get hot entering the playoffs. For any offense the Astros are able to generate, recent history advises us that Bregman has a good chance to be involved. He will likely bat amongst some combination of Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, and Kyle Tucker among other solid bats. Bregman should get around the base paths just fine on Saturday.
