We last head to Sutter Health Park tonight, and the Athletics are set to face the Minnesota Twins. With a 23-39 record, Oakland has struggled to find any semblance of form this season. The Twins, sitting at 33-27, are hoping to continue their dominance, having just secured two solid wins in the series. Below, I’ve got my preview, prediction, and best bet for this Wednesday 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
Yes, the Twins are favored—but they’ve been far from flawless. Zebby Matthews, with his 6.43 ERA, has been pummeled on the mound in his first few starts. Despite a high strikeout rate of 13.5 K/9 innings, his 1.50 WHIP suggests a lack of control, and opponents have hit .286 off him this season. Matthews struggles to limit damage, giving up 16 hits in just 14 innings. And while Jeffrey Springs on the Athletics’ side has posted a solid 4.72 ERA, he’s faced more significant challenges, including allowing 6 earned runs in just 2 innings last time out. Springs has surrendered 4.72 runs per game and is vulnerable to big innings, an issue for both pitchers in tonight’s matchup.
Let’s take a closer look at the Athletics: Despite their poor record, they can still hit. Brent Rooker and Tyler Soderstrom lead the charge, with Rooker pacing the team in homers (13) and Soderstrom racking up 36 RBIs. Rooker’s .478 slugging percentage and Soderstrom’s solid .798 OPS will be key tonight. The Athletics’ offense has shown resilience, ranking fifth in MLB for slugging percentage, and they’ve managed to score 4.2 runs per game despite the pitching woes. With the Twins’ .243 team batting average and a sixth-ranked ERA of 3.33, they won’t shut down the Athletics’ offense completely.
Twins vs. Athletics pick, best bet
Betting trends show a clear disparity: the Twins have lost four of their last six road games as favorites against AL opponents after a win, and the Athletics have covered the spread in eight of their last 10 games against AL Central opponents following a loss. When you dig deeper, the Athletics’ recent form at home—winning four of five against the AL Central—shows they rise to the occasion when facing teams within their division, especially after tough losses. Oakland is due for a competitive performance.
And let’s not forget the Athletics’ recent offensive surge. They’ve been lighting up the scoreboard, and tonight’s weather forecast—a warm evening in California with winds blowing out—could lead to more than a few deep drives. With both teams ranking in the bottom third of the league for pitching, this one has the potential for fireworks.
The Athletics’ll make a game of this one, covering the spread with a gritty performance, backed by their offense and a pitching matchup that could go either way. The Twins’ struggles as road favorites combined with Oakland’s streaky ability to outperform against the AL Central give the Athletics value here. Expect a tighter game than the odds suggest, and the Athletics will cover.
Best bet: Athletics +1.5 (+105) vs. Twins
Athletics stay hot at home—tail it with me in the DKN Betting Group here!
