Pirates-Twins Lines Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Minnesota Twins will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at The Metrodome. The Pirates will give the ball to starter Zach Duke in this one. Lefthander Duke is 7-4 this season with a 3.10 ERA. Starting this game for the Twins will be Nick Blackburn. The righthander has a 3.31 ERA to go along with a 5-2 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Twins listed as 165-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Adam LaRoche hit a two-run homer and the Pirates defeated the Twins 8-2 on Wednesday, as +180 underdogs. That game's 10 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9). Ian Snell tossed six innings for the win, allowing five hits and two runs over six innings of work. Joe Crede drove in both runs in a losing effort for the Twins, who were -200 favorites. Francisco Liriano gave up eight hiuts and four runs over seven innings of work. Team records: Pittsburgh: 31-34 SU Minnesota: 33-34 SU Pittsburgh most recently: When playing on Thursday are 4-6 Before playing Colorado are 3-7 After playing Minnesota are 4-6 After a win are 4-6 Minnesota most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Houston are 5-5 After playing Pittsburgh are 7-3 After a loss are 6-4 A few trends to consider: Pittsburgh is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh Minnesota is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games at home Next up: Pittsburgh at Colorado, Friday, June 19 Minnesota home to Houston, Friday, June 19