The Philadelphia Phillies will look to grab an inter-league road victory when they take on the Twins in Minnesota at Target Field on Thursday in baseball action.

It's a pitching duel between Scott Diamond for the Twins (5-1 on the year) and Joe Blanton for Philadelphia (5-5 so far).



View Philadelphia vs Minnesota Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Sportsbooks had installed the Twins as -140 moneyline favorites in this particular MLB matchup. The total, meanwhile, was set early at 9 before betting started to move the line.

Power Rankings:
The Twins sit at No. 14 in the American League in the current MLB power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Phillies sit at a National League No. 2 on the same chart.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Minnesota's No. 9 ranked American League offense (4.3 runs per game) against a Phillies defense and pitching staff that sits at No. 10 in the National League at 4.4 runs allowed per game. The Twins have been averaging 8.7 hits per game, less than the Phillies have managed so far this season (9.5 hits on average).

Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping factors and Minnesota has the American League's No. 14-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Phillies own the National League's No. 10 mark in runs allowed.

Last time out for Philadelphia, they were a 9-8 Sportsbook as they battled the Twins on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Phillies at -145 were rewarded, while the 17 combined runs moved the game OVER for totals bettors. Philadelphia got the job done in their last match in a 9-8 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday at Target Field behind starter Cole Hamels.




Philadelphia Phillies Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing Toronto are 5-5
After playing Minnesota are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

Minnesota Twins Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Milwaukee are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4

A few Phillies at Twins trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Philadelphia is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Minnesota is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home


Next up:
Philadelphia at Toronto, Friday, June 15
Minnesota home to Milwaukee, Friday, June 15