The Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros are set to start Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series on Friday. This is the best of five between these two teams, with the winner heading to the American League Championship Series.
The Minnesota Twins went 87-75 during the regular season and won the American League Central. Minnesota beat the Toronto Blue Jays in two straight games in the wildcard round.
For the Houston Astros, they are the American League West Champions. The Astros went 90-72 on the season.
The last time these two teams played, the Twins beat the Astros 8-2 on May 31st, 2023. The Houston Astros are listed at -156 in this game, with eight runs as the total.
MyBookie has the betting prediction plus MLB lines, analysis, along with top free pick for AL Divisional Series Game 1: Minnesota Twins versus the Houston Astros.
2023 AL Divisional Series Game 1 Odds to Win: Minnesota at Houston Betting Prediction | MyBookie MLB Playoff Preview
2023 Major League Baseball season | 123rd edition of MLB baseball in the United States
MLB Odds: Twins +1.5; Astros -1.5 / Twins +129; Astros -158 / O/U 8
Minnesota Twins at Houston Astros | ALDS – Game 1, Series starts 10/7
Undecided vs Justin Verlander
Saturday, October 7th, 2023 at4:45 pm | FS1
Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
Twins vs Astros: Pitching Matchup
Justin Verlander is going to get the start for the Houston Astros. Verlander was picked up at the Major League Baseball trade deadline and has been around postseason baseball for many years. The 40-year-old can still bring it, with his 13-8 record on the season and 3.22 earned run average.
Verlander has thrown 162.1 innings this season and struck out 144 batters. The last time Verlander pitched was on September 30th at Arizona, where he made his 26th start. In that game, Verlander went five innings and allowed just two hits and no runs.
As of publication, the Minnesota Twins had yet to announce their Game 1 starter. With Pablo Lopez going on Tuesday and Sonny Gray on Wednesday, it will likely be Joe Ryan.
Ryan was considered the Game 3 pitcher in the first series if needed. Ryan made 28 starts this season and finished with an 11-10 record and a 4.51 earned run average.
The last time he threw as back on September 29th in Colorado. He was rocked for eight hits and six runs over five innings in that game. Over his last five starts, he has thrown 24.2 innings and allowed 17 earned runs.
Key Bats in Lineup
For the Minnesota Twins, this is Carlos Correa against his former team. Correa spent several seasons with the Astros before signing a long-term deal with the Twins. The shortstop was one of the main cogs in the offense during the regular season.
Through two playoff games, Correa is hitting .429. Royce Lewis has been the big story for the Twins. He had home runs in his first two postseason at-bats and drove in three runs. Max Kepler, Jorge Polanco, and Ryan Jeffers help aid the offensive attack for Minnesota.
The Houston Astros won their final four regular season games and five out of their last six. In those five wins, the Astros scored 24 total runs. This is a hot and cold lineup, but one that finished 5th in all of baseball in both runs scored and team batting average.
Kyle Tucker had an incredible season, leading the team with a .284 batting average, 29 home runs, and 112 runs batted in. Yordan Alvarez finished as the top home run guy, with 31 bombs and 97 runs batted in, during his 410 at-bats.
Minnesota at Houston Betting Prediction | Astros Win Game 1
The Houston Astros are just battle-tested. There is no situation too big for them. They are a team full of guys on this stage. This team knows how to win 11 postseason games in October.
Justin Verlander is one of the best pitchers of this generation and still has juice left in his right arm. Look for a great outing from Verlander here as the Astros beat the Twins to start the party.
Bet the Houston Astros -156 for a safe Game 1 winner!
2023 MLB Divisional Series Game 1 Pick: Astros -156 | Bet Minnesota at Houston
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Series
Minnesota Twins Last 5
| Date | OPP | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 10/4/23 | vs TOR | W2-0 |
| 10/3/23 | vs TOR | W3-1 |
| 10/1/23 | @ COL | L3-2 F/11 |
| 9/30/23 | @ COL | W14-6 |
| 9/29/23 | @ COL | W7-6 |
Minnesota Twins Injury Report
| Name | Position | Status | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Cody Laweryson RP | OUT | Oct 2 |
| Elliot Soto SS | OUT | Oct 2 |
| Byron Buxton DH | 10-Day IL | Oct 3 |
| Carlos Correa SS | Day-To-Day | Oct 4 |
AL Central Standings | Minnesota Twins
| Team | W | L | Pct | L10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Twins | 87 | 75 | .537 | 7-3 |
| Detroit Tigers | 78 | 84 | .481 | 7-3 |
| Cleveland Guardians | 76 | 86 | .469 | 4-6 |
| Chicago White Sox | 61 | 101 | .377 | 3-7 |
| Kansas City Royals | 56 | 106 | .3346 | 6-4 |
Houston Astros Last 5
| Date | OPP | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 10/1/23 | @ ARI | W8-1 |
| 9/30/23 | @ ARI | W1-0 |
| 9/29/23 | @ ARI | W2-1 |
| 9/27/23 | @ SEA | W8-3 |
| 9/26/23 | @ SEA | L56-2 |
Houston Astros Injury Report
| Name | Position | Status | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Luis Garcia SP | 60-Day IL | Oct 5 |
| – | ||
| – | ||
| – |
AL West Standings | Houston Astros
| Team | W | L | Pct | L10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Astros | 90 | 72 | .556 | 6-4 |
| Texas Rangers | 90 | 72 | .556 | 6-4 |
| Seattle Mariners | 88 | 74 | .543 | 4-6 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 73 | 89 | .451 | 4-6 |
| Oakland Athletics | 50 | 112 | .309 | 4-6 |
Minnesota Twins at Houston Astros Betting Trends
- Astros have been favorites in 111 games this season and have come away with the win 60 times (54.1%) in those contests.
- This year Houston has won 34 of 57 games when listed as at least -156 on the moneyline.
- Contests with the Astros have gone over the total set by sportsbooks in 83 of 161 chances this season.
- The Astros have posted a record of 81-80-0 against the spread this season.
- The Twins have won 19 of the 48 games they were the moneyline underdog this season (39.6%).
- Minnesota has a record of 5-6 when it has played as a moneyline underdog with odds of +132 or longer (45.5%).
- The Twins have had an over/under set by bookmakers 161 times, and have combined with opponents to go over the total in 78 of those games (78-76-7).
- The Twins have put together a 78-83-0 record ATS this season (covering 48.4% of the time).
- Kyle Tucker has 163 hits and an OBP of .369 to go with a slugging percentage of .517. All three of those stats lead Houston hitters this season. He has a .284 batting average, as well.
- Max Kepler has 22 doubles, two triples, 24 home runs and 45 walks while batting .260. He’s slugging .484 with an on-base percentage of .332.
2023 MLB Divisional Series Schedule for Today
| Date | Time | WC Game | Home | Away | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, October 7 | 1:00 p.m. | ALDS Game 1 | Texas Rangers | vs. | Baltimore Orioles |
| Saturday, October 7 | 4:45 p.m. | ALDS Game 1 | Minnesota Twins | vs. | Houston Astros |
| Saturday, October 7 | 6:00 p.m. | NLDS Game 1 | Philadelphia Phillies | vs. | Atlanta Braves |
| Saturday, October 7 | 9:20 p.m. | NLDS Game 1 | Arizona Diamondbacks | vs. | Los Angeles Dodgers |
MLB Odds to Win the 2024 World Series
As the season heats up, check out the latest MLB lines on which team will take home the title.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +330 |
| Atlanta Braves | +450 |
| New York Yankees | +750 |
| Houston Astros | +1025 |
| Baltimore Orioles | +1200 |
| Texas Rangers | +1275 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +1350 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +2400 |
| Seattle Mariners | +2600 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | +2800 |
| Chicago Cubs | +3000 |
| Minnesota Twins | +3200 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | +3400 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | +3500 |
| Cleveland Guardians | +3800 |
| San Diego Padres | +4700 |
| Cincinnati Reds | +5000 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +5600 |
| Detroit Tigers | +5600 |
| Boston Red Sox | +5800 |
| San Francisco Giants | +5800 |
| New York Mets | +6000 |
| Kansas City Royals | +7500 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | +8000 |
| Los Angeles Angels | +14000 |
| Miami Marlins | +24000 |
| Washington Nationals | +36000 |
| Oakland Athletics | +50000 |
| Chicago White Sox | +60000 |
| Colorado Rockies | +60000 |
Enjoy the game, and good luck!
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