I thought the Athletics might keep it close last night at home. Silly me. They are who everyone said they were, I suppose. Tonight, the Twins seek to fully sink their teeth into some more momentum and broom Sutter Health Park before they head back east. Below, I’ve got my preview, prediction, and best bet for this Thursday night baseball game between the Athletics and the Twins.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
Athletics vs. Twins prediction, preview
The Minnesota Twins head into Thursday’s contest looking to sweep the Athletics with their fourth straight win. Over the past few weeks, the Twins have hit their stride, going 21-7 in their last 28 games. They’ve been outstanding on both sides of the ball, posting a 3.28 team ERA (6th in MLB) and limiting opponents to just .232 against them. Their offense, though inconsistent, has shown sparks, and their recent 8.7 runs per game in this series against Oakland speaks volumes about their potential.
Byron Buxton has been pivotal to the offense, leading with 10 home runs and a .497 slugging percentage. He’s been hitting .268, and his recent form—12-for-36 over the last 10 games—shows he’s heating up. Trevor Larnach, with nine homers and 30 RBIs, provides steady power as well. Despite the occasional inconsistencies in their lineup, Carlos Correa’s absence hasn’t slowed them down much, especially with Harrison Bader and Ty France stepping up, adding depth to their attack.
Meanwhile, the Athletics are struggling mightily. Their pitching staff has been disastrous, ranking 30th in ERA (5.84) and 29th in WHIP (1.55). It doesn’t help that Mitch Spence, a reliever, is tasked with starting in this game, making it even harder to trust their pitching. The Athletics have allowed 6.87 runs per game at home, and their bullpen has been completely ineffective, with a 6.28 ERA. On the other hand, David Festa (1.39 ERA in limited innings) is getting the ball for Minnesota and should be a huge advantage for the Twins. He’s been excellent in his limited starts, limiting walks and generating weak contact.
Twins vs. Athletics pick, best bet
The Athletics have not been able to string together any consistent performances, losing 20 of their last 21 games, including nine straight at home. Their lack of pitching depth, combined with a volatile lineup that has shown little consistency, leaves them vulnerable to another lopsided defeat. Key bats like Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom, and Brent Rooker have had plenty of bright moments, but it’s not nearly enough to overcome their team’s struggles. Soderstrom and Rooker are both in a bit of a rut, too.
With the Twins’ pitching strength, excellent bullpen, and recent offensive output, they should easily cover the -1.5 spread. The Athletics’ issues are systemic—bad pitching, no depth, and an offense that can’t back up its few stars. The Twins’ run line is the smart play here.
They’ll finish the sweep in style. The Athletics simply don’t have the tools to keep up, even on a good day.
Best bet: Twins -1.5 (-120) at Athletics
Why did we ever doubt the Twinkies?—tail it with me in the DKN Betting Group here!
