Twins vs. Athletics: Your Complete TV & Streaming Guide for Aug 24
Minnesota Twins vs. Athletics: Your Complete Game Guide for Monday Night
Game Basics: What You Need to Know
The Minnesota Twins are heading to Sutter Health Park to take on the Athletics on Monday at 9:40 p.m. ET. Here’s the quick snapshot:
| Detail | Minnesota Twins | Athletics |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 63–68 | 51–80 |
| Division Standing | 3rd in AL Central | 5th in AL West |
| Starting Pitcher | Zebby Matthews (7–8, 5.12 ERA) | Jeffrey Springs (3–11, 6.02 ERA) |
Important Point: The Twins are favored to win, but both teams have struggled this season. Keep an eye on Brooks Lee—he’s on a two-game home run streak and could be the difference-maker.
How to Watch the Game
Note: The original source did not list specific TV channels or streaming platforms. Check your local listings, MLB.TV, or your cable provider’s sports package for broadcast details.
Betting Odds Breakdown (ELI5 Style)
If you’re new to sports betting, here’s what the numbers mean in plain English:
| Bet Type | Odds | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Twins Moneyline (Favorite) | -149 | You’d bet $149 to win $100 (plus your original $149 back) |
| Athletics Moneyline (Underdog) | +125 | A $100 bet wins you $125 (plus your $100 back) |
| Total Runs (Over/Under) | 11 | Combined runs scored by both teams |
| Over 11 Runs | -118 | Bet $118 to win $100 if total runs ≥ 12 |
| Under 11 Runs | -102 | Bet $102 to win $100 if total runs ≤ 10 |
Reminder: Betting involves risk. Only wager what you can afford to lose. Odds provided by partners of The Athletic; restrictions may apply.
Injury Reports: Who’s Out?
Minnesota Twins (Lots of Long-Term Absences)
| Player | Injury | IL Type |
|---|---|---|
| Austin Martin | Hamstring | 10-Day IL |
| Joe Ryan | Glute | 15-Day IL |
| Pablo Lopez | Elbow | 60-Day IL |
| David Festa | Shoulder | 60-Day IL |
| Cole Sands | Elbow | 60-Day IL |
| Mike Paredes | Oblique | 60-Day IL |
| Anthony Banda | Lat | 60-Day IL |
| Mick Abel | Elbow | 60-Day IL |
Key Takeaway: The Twins are missing several key pitchers (Lopez, Festa, Sands, Banda, Abel) for the long haul. Their rotation depth is severely tested.
Athletics (Even Longer List)
| Player | Injury | IL Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jacob Wilson | Shoulder | 10-Day IL |
| Shea Langeliers | Knee | 10-Day IL |
| Josh Kuroda-Grauer | Testicle | 10-Day IL |
| José Suarez | Hip | 15-Day IL |
| Justin Sterner | Knee | 60-Day IL |
| Denzel Clarke | Foot | 60-Day IL |
| Nick Kurtz | Thumb | 60-Day IL |
| Brooks Kriske | Shoulder | 60-Day IL |
| Mark Leiter Jr. | Hip | 60-Day IL |
| Brent Rooker | Knee | 60-Day IL |
| Luis Severino | Shoulder | 60-Day IL |
| Tyler Soderstrom | Hip | 60-Day IL |
| Gunnar Hoglund | Knee | 60-Day IL |
Key Takeaway: The Athletics are decimated by injuries, especially losing Brent Rooker (power bat) and Luis Severino (veteran starter). This explains their poor record.
Players to Watch: Stat Leaders (Simplified)
We’ve translated the advanced stats into plain English. Higher is better for BA, OBP, SLG, OPS, HR, RBI, Runs, and Steals. Lower is better for Strikeout Rate.
Minnesota Twins
| Player | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | RBI | Runs | Steals (Attempts) | K% | BB% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks Lee | .247 | .301 | .434 | .735 | 20 | 69 | 57 | 7/11 | 16.4% | 6.6% |
| Josh Bell | .252 | .317 | .422 | .739 | 17 | 77 | 65 | — | 20.7% | 8.2% |
| Jeff McNeil | .262 | .314 | .356 | .670 | 6 | 43 | 36 | 6/8 | 11.1% | 6.3% |
Brooks Lee = Hot right now (2-game HR streak), good power (.434 SLG), sneaky speed (7 steals).
Josh Bell = RBI machine (77, 18th in MLB), decent walk rate (8.2%).
Jeff McNeil = Contact king (lowest K% at 11.1%), but limited power (.356 SLG).
Athletics
| Player | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | RBI | Runs | Steals (Attempts) | K% | BB% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence Butler | .220 | .312 | .358 | .670 | 11 | 38 | 49 | 9/13 | 25.4% | 11.6% |
Lawrence Butler = High strikeout risk (25.4%), but draws walks (11.6%) and runs well (49 runs, 9 steals). A "boom or bust" player.
Quick Stat Definitions (ELI5 Glossary)
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| BA (Batting Average) | Hits ÷ At-Bats. .300 is great. |
| OBP (On-Base Percentage) | How often a player reaches base (hits + walks + hit-by-pitch). .350+ is good. |
| SLG (Slugging Percentage) | Power measure. Singles=1, Doubles=2, Triples=3, HR=4. .450+ is strong. |
| OPS (On-Base + Slugging) | OBP + SLG. .800+ = All-Star level. .700+ = solid. |
| K% (Strikeout Rate) | % of plate appearances ending in a strikeout. Under 20% is good. |
| BB% (Walk Rate) | % of plate appearances ending in a walk. Over 8% is patient. |
| ERA (Earned Run Average) | Runs a pitcher allows per 9 innings. Under 4.00 is good. |
Summary
- Game: Twins @ Athletics | Monday, 9:40 p.m. ET | Sutter Health Park
- Pitching Matchup: Zebby Matthews (Twins) vs. Jeffrey Springs (Athletics) — both have ERAs over 5.00, so expect runs.
- Team Health: Both rosters are ravaged by injuries, especially pitching staffs.
- Key Player: Brooks Lee (Twins) is riding a 2-game HR streak — he’s the most exciting bat in this game.
- Betting: Twins are -149 favorites; total set at 11 runs (Over -118 / Under -102).
- Bottom Line: A matchup between two struggling teams with shaky pitching. Offense could win the night.
FAQ
1. What time does the game start?
9:40 p.m. ET on Monday at Sutter Health Park.
2. Who is the Twins’ hottest hitter right now?
Brooks Lee — he’s hit home runs in two straight games and has 20 HRs on the season.
3. Why are there so many players on the 60-Day IL?
The 60-Day IL is for serious injuries that keep players out for two+ months. Both teams have lost multiple pitchers to season-ending issues (elbow, shoulder, etc.).
4. What does "Total: 11" mean in betting?
It means oddsmakers expect 11 combined runs from both teams. You bet "Over" if you think there will be 12+, "Under" if 10 or fewer.
5. Are the Twins actually good this year?
Not really. At 63–68, they’re below .500 and 3rd in a weak AL Central. But they’re much better than the Athletics (51–80), hence the betting favorite status.
This guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive. Betting/odds, ticketing, and streaming links are provided by partners of The Athletic. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over reporting or editing. Photo credits: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images.