by Rod Pearson
Friday, May 19, 2023
Game Time: 10:07 pm ET, Saturday, May 20, 2023
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, CA
Where to Watch: MLB Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Twins +110, Angels -130; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Twins +110, Angels -130; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Twins +110, Angels -130; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
Season Record
Minnesota Twins: 24-20 (1st place, AL Central)
Los Angeles Angels: 23-22 (3rd place, AL West)
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Recent Form
Minnesota Twins: 5-5 last 10
Los Angeles Angels: 4-6 last 10
Minnesota Twins vs Los Angeles Angels Preview and Analysis
The Twins are entering this game off of a loss in their last game after losing their 3-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1. They enter this game with a 24-20 record overall and have a road record of 10-12. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Angels on Saturday with the series opener still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 16th in the MLB with a .717 OPS. Joe Ryan is their starting pitcher on Friday while Louie Varland is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 1-0 with a 4.30 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 3 ER, 2 HR, and 1 BB with 7 Ks on 4 hits through 6.1 IP against the Chicago Cubs.
The Angels are entering this game off of a win in their last game after splitting their 4-game series against the Baltimore Orioles 2-2. They enter this game with a 23-22 record overall and have a home record of 10-9. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Twins on Saturday with the 1st game of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 10th in the MLB with a .750 OPS. Reid Detmers is their starting pitcher on Friday while Patrick Sandoval is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 3-2 with a 3.22 ERA this season. His team won 3 of their last 4 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last start, he allowed 2 earned runs, 0 homers, and 1 BB with 5 strikeouts on 5 hits through 7.2 innings played against the Cleveland Guardians.
Twins vs Angels Prediction
The current betting odds have the Angels listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Angels haven't been great in their games lately as their offense has been really cold, but they started to play a lot better in their last game of their series against the Orioles as they scored 6 runs in that game and could start to heat up going back home for this series. The Twins haven't been great this season either, they are 24-20 overall which leads the AL Central but they are also the only team above .500 in their division and have been a terrible road team all year. They just lost a series in LA to the Dodgers and haven't been good in road games all season. The Angels also have a much better pitching matchup here as Sandoval has performed a lot better in his starts this season than Varland has and Sandoval is also a more experienced pitcher. Sandoval will continue to pitch well in his own ballpark here while Varland will struggle against this Angels lineup starting to get hot again. The best way to place a bet here is on the Angels to win this game.
Twins Angels Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Saturday, May 20, 2023 (10:07 pm ET start time) is Angels 5 Twins 1.
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MLB Betting Trends
Minnesota Twins: 2-9 (-6.5 units) on the moneyline as an underdog of +100 to +150. 28-40 (-18.6 units) on the moneyline against AL West opponents. 13-4 UNDER when the total is 8 to 8.5. 37-26 UNDER against AL West opponents.
Los Angeles Angels: 42-29 (+9.5 units) on the moneyline against AL Central opponents. 8-5 (+4.2 units) on the moneyline when the total is 8 to 8.5. PATRICK SANDOVAL is 10-5 UNDER when the money line is -100 to -150 and 16-9 UNDER in night games.
Key Injuries
Minnesota Twins: J. Polanco (SS) Ques Fri - Hamstring. N. Gordon (2B) Out indefinitely - Shin. J. Gallo (LF) Ques Fri - Leg. J. Alcala (RP) Out indefinitely - Forearm. M. Kepler (CF) Late May - Hamstring. T. Mahle (SP) out for season - Elbow. C. Thielbar (RP) Out indefinitely - Oblique. K. Maeda (SP) Out indefinitely - Tricep. G. Celestino (CF) Late May - Thumb. R. Lewis (SS) Early July - Knee. C. Paddack (SP) Early Sept - Elbow.
Los Angeles Angels: T. Davidson (RP) Ques Fri - Leg. A. Rendon (3B) Out indefinitely - Groin. J. Suarez (RP) Mid June - Shoulder. J. Quijada (RP) out for season - Elbow. J. Walsh (1B) Late May - Head. A. Loup (RP) Late May - Hamstring. A. Warren (RP) out for season - Elbow. L. O'Hoppe (C) Late Aug - Shoulder. C. Rodriguez (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. M. Stassi (C) Out indefinitely - Hip.
Notable Quotes
“There’s almost nothing that can take them out of the game, and sometimes we have to step in and take them out. I wish Nick didn’t have to take that last swing, knowing now that his leg was fractured. Doesn’t look like it’s displaced, or he further hurt himself talking that extra swing, but I’ll bet it was painful as hell.” - Rocco Baldelli after his team’s loss against the Dodgers in their game on Wednesday.
“That throw from Renfroe was incredible. That’s one of the better throws I’ve seen by a right fielder.” - Phil Nevin on Hunter Renfroe saving their win against the Orioles in their game on Thursday.
Starting Lineups
Minnesota Twins
Joey Gallo (L) RF
Alex Kirilloff (L) 1B
Carlos Correa (R) SS
Byron Buxton (R) DH
Jorge Polanco (S) 2B
Trevor Larnach (L) LF
Nick Gordon (L) CF
Willi Castro (S) 3B
Christian Vazquez (R) C
Los Angeles Angels
Mickey Moniak (L) LF
Mike Trout (R) CF
Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
Hunter Renfroe (R) RF
Brandon Drury (R) 1B
Chad Wallach (R) C
Luis Rengifo (S) 3B
Zach Neto (R) SS
Livan Soto (L) 2B
Statistical Leaders
Minnesota Twins
Batting Average: Alex Kirilloff (.333)
Hits: Byron Buxton (35)
Home Runs: Joey Gallo (10)
RBI: Trevor Larnach (26)
Stolen Bases: Michael A. Taylor (6)
Wins: Joe Ryan (6)
Saves: Jhoan Duran (7)
ERA: Brock Stewart (0.00)
Los Angeles Angels
Batting Average: Livan Soto (1.000)
Hits: Shohei Ohtani (49)
Home Runs: Hunter Renfroe (10)
RBI: Shohei Ohtani (31)
Stolen Bases: Shohei Ohtani (6)
Wins: Shohei Ohtani (5)
Saves: Carlos Estevez (10)
ERA: Matt Moore (1.23)
Managers:
Minnesota Twins: Rocco Baldelli (5th season)
Los Angeles Angels: Phil Nevin (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
