Tuesday MLB betting preview: Twins at Red Sox, Angels at A's

Pick: Twins moneyline

Randy Dobnak (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his first MLB start for the Twins on Tuesday night at Fenway Park against Rick Porcello (12-10, 5.42 ERA) and the Red Sox, which completes an improbable journey from Division II Alderson Broaddus University to the Twins, with a trip through the United Shore Professional Baseball League in between. Eight scoreless innings of work in the majors suggests Dobnak belongs and that Minnesota is worth a bet.

Dobnak was 24-9 with a 2.91 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP in parts of three seasons in the Twins farm system before he was called up August 8. He has scattered 13 hits in three relief appearances for the Twins and has not issued a walk. The Pennsylvania native has the support of a Minnesota bullpen that's tops in the majors in ERA (2.11) over the last 14 days.

Porcello draws a tough matchup with a streaking Twins lineup that has averaged 7.4 runs per game over its last 10 tilts. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop is among Minnesota's hottest hitters at the moment (.391, four home runs and seven RBIs in his last seven games).

Pick: A's runline

Two starters trending in opposite directions, the Angels' Jaime Barria (4-7, 6.10 ERA) and the Athletics' Mike Fiers (13-3, 3.40 ERA), will do battle in the Oakland Coliseum on Tuesday night. The A's hold a distinct advantage.

Barria is 1-5 with a 6.89 ERA and 1.469 WHIP in seven appearances since the All-Star break. In 39 1/3 innings on the road this year, Barria is allowing opponents to bat .309 with 11 home runs. Oakland is crushing baseballs left and right of late. Center fielder Ramon Laureano, first baseman Mark Canha and shortstop Marcus Semien have combined for 16 home runs in their last 15 games.

Fiers is 5-0 with a 2.53 ERA in nine starts since the All-Star break. In three outings against the Angels this year, the Florida native is 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA and .209 opponent batting average.