Coming off their first playoff series win in twenty one years, the Twins placed Bailey Ober on the Mound to face Houston’s Justin Verlander. The Twins beat the Astros four of six this season. The added pressure of playoff baseball changes how we bet and how teams handle themselves. Check out our Twins vs. Astros Game 1 prediciton.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
905 Minnesota Twins (+130) at 906 Houston Astros (-155); o/u 7.5
3:45 PM, October 7, 2023
Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX
Twins vs. Astros Game 1 MLB Public Betting Information
At the time of writing The Spread’s MLB Public Betting page shows 74% of the public has wagered on the Astros to win.
Minnesota Twins DFS Spin
Byron Buxton (knee) took live batting practice versus Jorge Alcala on Friday. Buxton is hoping to be on the ALDS roster, but with Royce Lewis still probably limited to DH by his hamstring, it’s difficult to see how he would fit. It’d be a lot easier if the Twins thought it was possible Lewis could return to third base before the end of the series. Rosters are due Saturday morning.
Houston Astros DFS Spin
The Athletic’s Chandler Rome reports Hector Neris will not be suspended for his actions during last week’s benches-clearing incident against the Mariners. Neris was at the epicenter of a benches-clearing incident with the division-rival Mariners during the final moments of the regular season, but won’t wind up facing a potential suspension at the outset of the Astros’ postseason run. The 34-year-old right-hander has been an integral component of Houston’s bullpen, posting a sparkling 1.71 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 77/31 K/BB ratio across 68 1/3 innings (71 appearances).
Twins vs. Astros Game 1 MLB Betting Trends
The Astros are 4-1 in their last 5 games.
The totals have gone OVER in 45 of Astros’ 81 last games at home
The Twins are 3-2 in their last 5 games
Minnesota is 42-39 in their road games against the spread
Twins vs. Astros Game 1 MLB BETTING PREDICTION:
Public must like the Twins because of their season success rate against Houston. But do not be fooled. Houston has the lineup and experience to understand the urgency behind game one at home. Minnesota finished off Toronto quickly in the wild card round. But a focused Houston team will be hard to bear especially if Verlander is on the mound.
Twins vs. Astros Game 1 Prediction: HOUSTON ASTROS -158