After seizing a dominant victory in Houston to tie the ALDS at 1-all, the Twins are in an auspicious position.
They now take home-field advantage and get to play a strong hand by starting Sonny Gray in Tuesday afternoon’s Game 3.
Gray has been spectacular in day games this season, as opposing bats have averaged .185 against his 1.80 ERA in 13 starts under the sun.
Twins vs. Astros prediction: ALDS Game 3
(4:07 p.m. ET., FOX)
The right-handed veteran has provided the Twins steady pitching all season, averaging roughly 5 ²/₃ innings at a 1.15 WHIP throughout his 32 starts.
Gray struck out six batters and allowed zero earned runs through five innings to help clinch the Wild Card Series against the Blue Jays.
With that performance included, he hasn’t allowed more than one earned run in six starts with 5.8 strikeouts in that window.
As far as Gray’s concerns regarding the Astros, they were one of his favorite lineups to face this year. Gray struck out eight hitters in his two starts with a 2.77 ERA.
The Astros weren’t as sharp at the plate at Target Field anyway, hitting .221 in the three-game series.
This will only be Gray’s sixth postseason start in his 11-year career spanning four franchises.
But he’s been up to the task when it’s presented itself — striking out an average of 4.8 per start to complement a 2.39 ERA.
The market has Gray’s strikeout prop underestimated in this game — he wields momentum and so do the Twins in this series.
Betting on Baseball?
Pounce on the plus-money edge for Gray to eclipse 4.5 strikeouts while you can.
THE PLAY: Sonny Gray Over 4.5 strikeouts (+120, BetMGM)
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