Athletics vs. Twins: Thursday baseball brings us an early matchup in Minneapolis, where the Athletics chase a sweep and the Twins try to salvage pride. Minnesota has stumbled with just three wins in their last ten games, while the Athletics has shown surprising life on the road. With an afternoon start, eyes turn toward a familiar power bat looking to snap out of a small slump. The setup feels ripe for a bounce back performance against a vulnerable arm.
For additional information on picks, props, moneylines, and more on today’s slate, take a look at our MLB Picks Page or our MLB Odds Page, here.
Write Up Transparency
Be sure to follow me on X/Twitter @ColbyMBets to get my full card every day! Picks are always FREE.
Last Month: 74-107 (+7.98u)
Last Week: 20-26 (+3.57)
Athletics vs. Twins Best Bets – August 21

Can Brent Rooker snap this cold streak this afternoon?
Check out BetOnline’s New No Strings Welcome Offer that gives new MLB players up to $250 in Free Bets and 100 Free Casino Spins with their first deposit. Find out more about this Promotion as well as lots of other Free Sportsbook Promos right here!
Happy Friday Junior! The weekend is almost here. To those reading this thinking, “today is Thursday?” Please reread what I wrote. Friday…Junior. Thursday is Friday’s little brother. Come on now, you get the joke.
Anyway…
Today our focus is on the day game in Minneapolis, where the Athletics are chasing a road sweep and the Twins are desperately trying to avoid further embarrassment. Minnesota has dropped seven of their last ten, and the pressure is mounting.
The play is Brent Rooker to snap out of his two-game hitless streak and go over 1.5 bases this afternoon, priced at $1.05. Rooker enters with an elite rating on Batters-Box, where his trends are rock solid. In 50 elite road ratings, he records a hit 68% of the time, 2+ hits 40% of the time, and clears this prop 56% of the time. Stretching back over the last three years with 102 elite ratings, his numbers stay consistent. Most recently, in his last ten elite ratings on the road, he has gone over 1.5 bases seven times.
Rooker vs. Urena
He gets a great matchup against Jose Urena, who has bounced between seven teams since 2023. The right-hander enters with the third-worst pitcher rating on today’s slate. In 31 innings this season, the 33-year-old owns a 4.06 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. Right-handed bats have crushed him, hitting .315 with a .463 SLG and .819 OPS.
Urena relies on four pitches, but 58% of his arsenal grades below league average, per FanGraphs. His sinker and slider are the main culprits, and Rooker feasts on both. This season against those offerings, he is batting .283 or better, with an OPS north of .778 and a wRC+ of 129 or higher. He also profiles well against the rest of Urena’s mix.
This sets up as the perfect bounce back spot for the Athletics star after back-to-back hitless games. Paying light juice is more than worth it here.
Come on Rooker!
Best Bet: Brent Rooker Over 1.5 Total Bases (-105) odds via BetOnline
Interested in More Content?
Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly
Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER
Follow me on X @ColbyMBets for all my picks and sports opinions. Follow Betting News on ‘X’ and Twitch and catch us on stream! Betting News is also on TikTok! Follow us for more picks and news every day!
In need of a sportsbook? Check out one of our favorites below among our best online sportsbooks and sign-up for a bonus!
Check Out All of Our Betting Resources at Betting News
- Picks & Odds for the NFL
- NFL Betting Guide for Beginners
- Pick & Odds for NCAAF
- NCAAF Betting Guide for Beginners
- Picks & Odds in the MLB
- MLB Betting Guide for Beginners
- Picks & Odds in the NBA
- NBA Betting Guide for Beginners
- Picks & Odds in the NHL
- NHL Betting Guide for Beginners
More Betting Stories