Las Vegas A's

Will the A’s bounce back against the visiting Twins?

by
Tony Reyes
June 21, 2024

What: MLB Regular Season Game
When: Friday, June 21
Who: Minnesota Twins vs. Oakland Athletics
Tip-Off: 9:40 p.m. ET
Where: Oakland Coliseum (Oakland, CA)

After avenging an earlier sweep with a series win over the Kansas City Royals, the Oakland Athletics will look to continue their momentum as they host the Minnesota Twins on Friday night to kick off a three-game series.

Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins face the Oakland Athletics. Known for their extreme streakiness, the Twins hold a 41-34 record, oscillating between winning and losing streaks throughout their first 75 games. They began 7-13, then surged with a 12-game winning streak, followed by a seven-game losing streak.

This pattern continued, including a recent two-game skid against the Rays. Despite this volatility, the Twins have consistently performed well against Oakland, boasting a 4-0 record and consistently hitting their pitching effectively.

Roll Call!

Who is staying up late with us tonight? pic.twitter.com/P9ORzko4eK

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 21, 2024

This makes them hard to predict but formidable against the A’s.

Minnesota’s recent four-game series sweep against Oakland underscores their streaky nature. This unpredictability makes betting challenging, as the Twins swing between hot and cold streaks.

They’ve lost their last two games, suggesting a potential bounce-back, but their 2024 pattern shows they often struggle or excel in clusters.

Oakland, meanwhile, regained some form against the Royals after a nine-game skid. Considering these factors, expect a more competitive series, with some regression likely for Minnesota.

Oakland Athletics

The Athletics are currently 5th in the AL West, trailing the Mariners by 16 games with a 6-14 record against division teams. They hold an overall record of 28-49 and are 2-8 in their last 10 games.

Zack attack at it again! ????

That's three straight games with a Zack Gelof home run! pic.twitter.com/E5mJ4KGdEF

— Oakland A's (@Athletics) June 20, 2024

At home, they’re 17-21 but struggle on the road with an 11-28 record. As underdogs, they are 22-47, compared to 6-2 as favorites. Recently, they lost 3-2 to the Royals despite a strong start from Mitch Spence and a solid performance by Zack Gelof, who went 2/4 with a homer and two RBIs.

Twins-A’s Best Bet

The Twins appear to be the favorable choice in this situation. However, given that Minnesota secured four consecutive wins against Oakland last weekend, it’s difficult to dismiss the notion that the law of averages could eventually catch up with the inconsistent Twins.