The Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners wrap up their four-game series on Thursday afternoon at Target Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM ET. The Twins won 2-0 on Wednesday night to snap a five-game losing streak and avoid a series loss.
This will be the seventh meeting between these teams this season. Seattle has taken four of the first six games, outscoring Minnesota 38-20 across those contests. Minnesota looks to even the season series at 3-3 with a second straight win and a split in the current four-game set.
Both teams come into the game with winning trends in spots. The Mariners have won 21 of their last 36 road games and have cashed overs in 22 of those. The Twins have hit the run line in 39 of their last 73 overall, and they have played over the total in 17 of their last 25.
Pitching has been key in this series. After allowing 17 runs in the first two games, the Twins got six shutout innings from Joe Ryan and a clean bullpen effort on Wednesday. Seattle had two hits from Cal Raleigh in each of the first three games, but he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts last time out.
Twins Preview – Trying to Build Momentum at Home
The Twins are now 38-42 and 21-17 at Target Field this season. Wednesday’s 2-0 win ended a five-game skid and gave the team its first shutout in June. The Twins are still allowing more runs than they score overall, with a -19 run differential on the season.
Simeon Woods Richardson will start for Minnesota. The right-hander is 2-4 with a 5.06 ERA in 12 starts this season. He’s struggled lately, giving up at least four runs in three of his last five outings. In his last start, he allowed six earned runs in a 9-0 loss to Milwaukee.
Woods Richardson did throw well against Seattle once before. Last year, he pitched six scoreless innings and allowed just one hit. Minnesota will also lean on a bullpen that includes strong arms like Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax. Minnesota’s bullpen ranks near league average with a 3.42 ERA.
Mariners Preview – Can They Win the Series on the Road?
The Mariners are 41-38 overall and 21-19 on the road. Seattle won the first two games of the series with double-digit run totals before being shut out on Wednesday. The team still holds a small edge in run differential on the season, scoring 4.61 runs per game while allowing 4.35.
Seattle will hand the ball to Emerson Hancock, who is 3-3 with a 5.43 ERA. Hancock had a rough outing last time out, allowing nine runs and four home runs in just four innings against the Cubs. In his lone career start vs. Minnesota, he gave up four runs in four innings and did not factor into the decision.
The Mariners’ bullpen has been more reliable than the rotation. Andres Munoz and Gabe Speier are key arms, both posting sub-3.00 ERAs. Despite a few injuries, Seattle relievers have a combined ERA of 3.31 and a WHIP of 1.18, slightly better than Minnesota’s group.
Betting Prediction
The Twins are slight -120 favorites with the total set at 8.5. Both starters come in with shaky recent numbers. Hancock gave up four homers last time out, and Woods Richardson has not won in his last six starts. A higher-scoring game could be in play if either pitcher struggles again early.
Seattle has hit team totals and overs on the road and has won more than half of its last 36 away games. But Minnesota is at home and just got a big win. Look for Minnesota to keep the momentum and edge out a close game late. Final score prediction: Twins 5, Mariners 4.
Pick: Twins -120
