The A’s host the Twins in the MLB betting free pick July 3rd in what oddsmakers have listed as basically a coin flip (MIN -105, OAK -103). Oakland took the series opener on Tuesday, handing Minnesota their 3rd loss in the last 4 games on this current road swing. Oakland has now rattled off four wins in a row, and have great value Wednesday after being victorious in 6 of their last 7 while scoring a boatload of runs.
Twins Try to Get Back on the Winning Track
The Twins are 2-5 in their last 7 road games vs. a RH starter but their offense has been performing decently as of late. Minnesota has scored 23 runs during their current 4-game road swing and have scored 5+ in 6 of the last 10. Only 4 Minnesota batters have hit HRs in the past week even though those four (Miguel Sano, Nelson Cruz, Jason Castro, Max Kepler) have combined for 11 long balls. The Twins scored 6 runs on Tuesday but it wasn’t enough as they fell 6-8. To that regard, the MLB betting free pick July 3rd O/U is listed at 9.5 which seems on the low side with these two offenses. C.J. Cron has 3HRs in 17AB vs. Oakland starter Mike Fiers.
Kyle Gibson gets the nod for Minnesota on Wednesday night. Gibson will be going on 5 days of rest after having to throw an inning of relief in an 18 inning game vs. the Rays. Gibson has allowed 10ER total in his last two starts (11.1 IP). He has also allowed 4+ ER in 3 of his last 4 starts overall but yet the Twins are 13-5 the last 18 Gibson starts.
Oakland On a Winning Streak
Tuesday’s 8-6 Oakland win came as +102 home underdogs and was the A’s fourth victory in a row. Oakland only had 8 hits in the opener as a team, but was helped greatly by Chris Hermann’s grand slam in his debut with the team. It was also the fourth time that Oakland has scored 7+ runs in their last 7 games. The A’s have hit .297 vs. Twins starter Gibson in 37 team AB but haven’t faced him yet in 2019.
Mike Fiers is on the mound for Oakland on Wednesday night. The right-hander has been dominant with three straight starts of just 1ER allowed. Overall, Fiers has an ERA of just 2.61 in his last 12 starts which is the 6th best among AL starters over that span. Fiers’ ERA is 3.08 in 9 starts at home on the season and has gone 6-1 in 10 career starts vs. Minnesota.
Top Trends:
- Twins are 24-8 last 32 after a loss
- Twins are 1-4 last 5 road games
- Twins are 7-0 in Gibson’s last 7 starts on 5 days rest
- A’s are 6-2 last 8 home games
- A’s are 5-0 in Fiers’ last 5 starts
- Twins are 17-35 last 52 in Oakland
MLB Betting Free Pick July 3rd
The Twins have been great at bouncing back after a loss this season but Oakland is playing with major momentum right now. There is value in both squads but a better play in this one is the total. Neither starting pitcher got out of the 6th on Monday and Jake Odorizzi had to leave after the 3rd with a blister. Both bullpens are thin and both offenses are potent.
MLB Free Pick: Twins / Athletics *Over* 9.5
