The Minnesota Twins look to emerge victorious in MLB odds action as the Astros arrive at Target Field on Friday.

Jarred Cosart gets the ball in front of a hostile crowd for the Astros on this day; he's 1-0 on the season. The Twins, meanwhile, will counter with Samuel Deduno, who will be looking to improve on his 7-4 mark.



View Houston vs Minnesota Odds and Stats.

Power Rankings:
According to new MLB Power Rankings here, it's the American League No. 14-ranked Twins and the American League No. 15-rated Astros in this matchup.



How They Match Up:
Rating these teams in several key categories is important for handicappers and Minnesota has the American League's No. 11-rated offensive output, at 8.3 hits per game. The Astros average 7.8 hits per game, good for No. 15 on the American League list.

Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping factors and Minnesota has the American League's No. 12-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Astros own the American League's No. 15 mark in runs allowed.

In their last action, Houston was a 6-3 loser on the road against the Orioles. Bettors on Baltimore at -230 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (9) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well. Houston looks to rebound from a loss to the Orioles, who beat them 6-3 on Thursday behind a start from Bud Norris at Camden Yards.

Last time out for Minnesota, they were a 7-2 loser as they battled the Royals at home. Moneyline bettors who got the Royals at -160 were rewarded, while the 9 combined runs moved the game OVER for totals bettors. The Twins were saddled with a loss last time out in Scott Diamond's start, as they lost 7-2 against Kansas City on Thursday at Target Field.


Houston Astros Trends:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Minnesota are 4-6
After playing Baltimore are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7

Minnesota Twins Trends:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Houston are 7-3
After playing Kansas City are 2-8
After a loss are 3-7

A few Astros at Twins trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Houston is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Houston is 3-12 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Minnesota's last 19 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing at home against Houston


Next up:
Houston at Minnesota, Saturday, August 3