Athletics at Twins 7/21/19 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Oakland Athletics conclude a four-game series on the road Sunday against the Minnesota Twins. The A’s defeated the Twins 5-3 in the second game of the series on Friday. Marcus Semien hit two home runs and a triple to help lead the A’s to the victory on Friday. The A’s remained 5 ½ games behind first place Houston in the American League West.

Jake Odorizzi continued to have problems giving up runs in the first inning after allowing two on Friday to the A’s. Fourteen of the right-hander’s 37 runs allowed this season have been scored during the first inning. Marwin Gonzalez belted a two-run home run for Minnesota in the third inning. The loss was Minnesota’s fourth in its last five. Ramon Laureano is leading the A’s with a .283 batting average. Matt Chapman leads in home runs with 22 and in RBIs with 59. Marcus Semien leads in hits with 111. The A’s are averaging .250 at the plate while opposing hitters are averaging .241. On Sunday, the A’s will send Daniel Mengden to the mound. The right-hander is 5-1 with an ERA of 4.21, 34 Ks and 16 BBs.

Jorge Polanco is leading the Twins with a .305 batting average and in hits with 117. Max Kepler leads in home runs with 23, while Eddie Rosario leads in RBIs with 64. Minnesota has a .271 batting average while opponents are batting .245. On Sunday, the Twins will send Michael Pineda to the mound. The right-hander is 6-5 with an ERA of 4.38, 87 Ks and 16 BBs.