Houston Astros at Minnesota Twins 6/11/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Houston Astros open a three-game series on the road Friday against the Minnesota Twins. Houston is 35-26 following an 8-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. Right-hander Jake Odorizzi won his first game since 2019 and Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve each homered. The Astros have won three straight, four of the last five and are second in the American League West only one game behind the first place Oakland Athletics. 

Yuli Gurriel is batting .335 to lead Houston and the first baseman has team highs in RBIs with 43, hits with 69 and on-base percentage at .406. Shortstop Carlos Correa is the leader in home runs with 11 and Houston as a team has hit 72 home runs in 61 games. On Friday, Houston will send Jose Urquidy to the mound. The right-hander is 4-3 with an ERA of 3.76, 47 Ks and 10 BBs.

Minnesota is 24-37 following a 9-6 loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday. The Twins had lost two straight and six of the last eight. Minnesota is last in the American League Central 13 games behind first-place Chicago. Jorge Polanco and Miguel Sano hit home runs for Minnesota in the loss but Randy Dobnak dropped to 1-6 after allowing eight runs on 11 hits including four home runs.

Nelson Cruz is batting .279 to lead Minnesota and the designated hitter has team highs in hits with 50 and on-base percentage at .353. First baseman Miguel Sano is the leader in home runs with 12 and RBIs with 30. Minnesota has hit 86 home runs in its first 61 games. On Friday, Minnesota will send Matt Shoemaker to the mound. The right-hander is 2-7 with an ERA of 7.28, 34 Ks and 21 BBs.