The Minnesota Twins host New York on Thursday, looking to build on their 54-68 mark against the 74-47 Yankees in MLB betting action at Target Field.

CC Sabathia, with a record of 16-7 on the season, gets the ball for the Yankees, while the Twins trot Brian Duensing to the mound in this one. He is 8-11 so far in 2011.



View NY Yankees vs Minnesota Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The visitors opened as 185 moneyline favorites in this one at most online sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark. The total opened at 8 for those preferring over under wagers.

Power Rankings:
The Twins sit at No. 13 in the American League in the current MLB power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Yankees sit at an American League No. 1 on the same chart.



How They Match Up:
On offense, it's a battle between Minnesota and its American League No. 12-rated batting order, averaging 3.9 runs per nine innings, against the American League's No. 1 lineup of the Yankees at 5.4 runs per outing.

New York brings the American League's No. 3-rated defense to this matchup, facing the Twins' league No. 12-ranked defense.

Last time out for New York, they were a 5-4 loser as they battled the Royals on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Royals at +146 were rewarded, while the 9 combined runs moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. New York looks to rebound from a loss to the Royals, who beat them 5-4 on Wednesday behind a start from Bruce Chen at Kauffman Stadium.

Last time out for Minnesota, they were a 6-5 Sportsbook as they battled the Tigers on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Twins at +131 were rewarded, while the 11 combined runs moved the game OVER for totals bettors. Minnesota rolled to a 6-5 win against Detroit on Wednesday, as Carl Pavano and the Twins' bats led the team to victory at Comerica Park.


New York Yankees Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Minnesota are 6-4
After playing Kansas City are 3-7
After a loss are 7-3

Minnesota Twins Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing NY Yankees are 2-8
After playing Detroit are 3-7
After a win are 2-8

A few Yankees at Twins trends to consider:
NY Yankees are 8-1 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
NY Yankees are 19-3 SU in their last 22 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Yankees' last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 6 of NY Yankees' last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota's last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing NY Yankees
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing at home against NY Yankees
Minnesota is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games


Next up:
NY Yankees at Minnesota, Friday, August 19