Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2-2) vs Minnesota Twins (0-4)
The Angels are looking to build on their series opening win against Minnesota.
Wednesday April 11
Target Field – Minneapolis, MN
8:10PM
Moneyline: Anaheim -160, Minnesota +170
O/U: 7.5
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jered Weaver (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Twins RH Carl Pavano (0-1, 5.14 ERA)
Anaheim
After a rare Tuesday off day the Angels are giving the ball to Jered Weaver in what will be another lopsided pitching matchup for the Twins. Weaver had the most impressive opening start of anyone last week pitching 8 innings while giving up just 4 hits, 0 runs and striking out 10. He didn’t walk anybody either. Good luck Minnesota.
Meanwhile, manager Mike Scioscia is still waiting for his lineup to catch fire. Albert Pujols was the big get but it’s the players he kicked away from first base who have been doing some damage early – Marc Trumbo and Kendyrs Morales are both off to good starts. In four games this team has hit just one homer, by Vernon Wells, and Erick Aybar is leading the team in RBI. Given the histories of their players that is bound to change quickly. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Minnesota
The Twins have gotten off to a bad start, there is just no other way to put it. This was going to be a lean year unless a lot of things broke right and that seems unlikely to happen. No team in the Majors has scored fewer runs than the Twins’ 6 through 4 games. They are batting a combined .165 and that is with Justin Mourneau appearing to be ready to contribute with an early average over .300. Only three players on the roster have an average over .167. I know it is early but still.
Things haven’t been much better on the mound. Starter Carl Pavano is getting his second turn and looking to improve on a mediocre performance against Baltimore. One thing he has going for him is a winning career record against the Angels, but it is hard to win without any run support. At some point the Twins will collect their first victory but this doesn’t look like the right spot.
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Angels 6 – Twins 2