The Los Angeles Angels travel to face the Minnesota Twins today, with the Angels looking to break a four-game road losing streak. The matchup brings together teams with differing starts to the season; the Angels hold a 12-12 record, while the Twins stand at 9-16.
The pitching duel features Angels right-hander Kyle Hendricks (0-2, 4.50 ERA) against Twins right-hander Pablo López (1-1, 1.62 ERA). The game is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. EDT at Target Field in Minneapolis.
Off the field, the Angels organization remains tied to lingering issues surrounding failed stadium deals and local corruption. Former Anaheim mayor Harry Sidhu is currently serving a two-month jail sentence after pleading guilty to charges related to seeking illegal campaign contributions in exchange for pushing a deal that would have allowed Angels owner Arte Moreno to purchase the Angel Stadium site for a significantly reduced price. For more on the former mayor's sentencing, read the full story here.
Discussions about new stadiums and potential MLB expansion cities continue across the country. Portland, Oregon, has been frequently mentioned, and the state government recently authorized $800 million in MLB stadium spending bonds, despite questions about potential public costs and suitable locations. Salt Lake City is also exploring options, while places like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Nashville have seen less recent activity regarding expansion bids. These city-team dynamics highlight ongoing debates over public financing for private sports facilities.
Betting markets favor the home team in the Angels vs Twins contest. According to some analyses, the Twins have a 62% chance of winning the game. Betting odds list the Twins as favorites at $1.51, with the Angels at $2.64. The over/under for total runs is set at 8.071. Betting analysis suggests taking the Angels +1.5 runs line at $1.78. For a prediction using extensive data modeling, check out Stats Insider's best betting tips.
In other Twins news, former stars Tony Oliva and Kent Hrbek are reportedly recovering from recent strokes.
The Angels have struggled at the plate over their last 10 games, hitting a combined .176 and being outscored by 18 runs. Mike Trout leads the team with eight home runs. The Twins have fared better recently, going 5-5 in their last 10 games with a .236 batting average.
The game's start time is 9:40am AEST on Saturday for Australian viewers. The venue is Target Field in Minneapolis. Find more information on the Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins official sites.
