Critical factors to watch for in Astros' clash with Carlos Correa, Twins

CORREA RETURNS!

Critical factors to watch for in Astros' clash with Carlos Correa, Twins
The Astros face Carlos Correa and the Twins this weekend. Composite Getty Image.

Houston Astros (45-42, second in the AL West) vs. Minnesota Twins (49-38, second in the AL Central)

Minneapolis; Friday, 8:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Astros: Shawn Dubin (1-1, 4.91 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 27 strikeouts); Twins: Pablo Lopez (8-6, 4.88 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 110 strikeouts)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Twins -159, Astros +133; over/under is 8 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Twins take on the Houston Astros after Jose Miranda had five hits on Thursday in a 12-3 win over the Tigers.

Minnesota has a 49-38 record overall and a 25-17 record in home games. The Twins have gone 36-6 in games when they scored five or more runs.

Houston is 21-23 in road games and 45-42 overall. Astros hitters are batting a collective .264, the best team batting average in the AL.

The teams meet Friday for the fourth time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Ryan Jeffers ranks second on the Twins with 30 extra base hits (16 doubles and 14 home runs). Byron Buxton is 14-for-37 with seven doubles, four home runs and 12 RBI over the past 10 games.

Jose Altuve has 17 doubles, 13 home runs and 39 RBI while hitting .308 for the Astros. Yainer Diaz is 17-for-43 with two doubles over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Twins: 7-3, .274 batting average, 3.20 ERA, outscored opponents by 23 runs

Astros: 8-2, .288 batting average, 2.70 ERA, outscored opponents by 29 runs

INJURIES: Twins: Royce Lewis: 10-Day IL (abductor), Brock Stewart: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Chris Paddack: 15-Day IL (arm), Alex Kirilloff: 10-Day IL (back), Justin Topa: 60-Day IL (knee), Daniel Duarte: 60-Day IL (tricep), Zack Weiss: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Anthony DeSclafani: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Astros: Jake Bloss: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Victor Caratini: 10-Day IL (hip), Justin Verlander: 15-Day IL (neck), Cristian Javier: 60-Day IL (forearm), Kyle Tucker: 10-Day IL (shin), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (forearm), Oliver Ortega: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bennett Sousa: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Penn Murfee: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow), Lance McCullers Jr.: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kendall Graveman: 60-Day IL (elbow)

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Who will step up this week for Houston? Composite Getty Image.

Make no mistake about it, the Texans have their biggest challenge of the season this Saturday in KC, trying to keep the Chiefs from moving on and possibly winning their third straight championship.

And the level of difficulty goes much further than just a fierce opponent. The Chiefs are fully rested, and the Texans will be short-handed again on offense.

After releasing disgruntled receiver Diontae Johnson and tight end Cade Stover heading to IR, Houston will need someone outside of Nico Collins to make an impact in the passing game. Joe Mixon is a prime candidate to catch some passes this week, but he missed practice on Thursday (ankle) so that will be something to watch.

Not to mention, Robert Woods has missed practice time this week with a hip injury. Which means outside of Collins, the Texans will have to lean on John Metchie III, Dalton Schultz, and Xavier Hutchinson to move the ball through the air.

As opposed to the Chiefs who have a full complement of weapons with Travis Kelce, Hollywood Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, and burner Xavier Worthy, with Patrick Mahomes pulling the trigger. Oh yeah, they also have Andy Reid calling the plays.

It certainly appears the Chiefs have the edge of offense, but the Texans defense has gotten healthy at the right time. Especially on the defensive line that gave Justin Herbert fits in the Wild Card round.

X-factors

Tank Dell was Stroud's most effective target against the Chiefs in December, recording over 100 yards and scoring a touchdown. Collins was held to just 60 yards on 7 catches. If that happens this time around, that could spell trouble for Houston. Metchie is now the Texans No. 2 receiver because of injuries, and he got off to a terrible start last week, fumbling on the first offensive play of the game. He's done a decent job of getting open this year, but he's struggled to hold on to the football. The moment can't get too big for him this week. Also, Texans OC Bobby Slowik has to do a better job of calling plays that will keep the team out of third and long situations. Something that has plagued the team all season.

On defense, limiting Mahomes' ability to create big plays with his legs will be key. He escaped through the B gap several times in his last matchup with DeMeco Ryans' defense. Those runs led to first downs and KC's first touchdown of the game.

What does Vegas think?

The Chiefs are favored by 9, and the total is set at 41.5 points.

We have so much more to get to! Be sure to watch the video above for our in-depth preview and predictions for the big game.


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