Twins take on the Nationals in first of 3-game series

Washington Nationals (41-61, fifth in the NL East) vs. Minnesota Twins (49-53, fourth in the AL Central)

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

PITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: MacKenzie Gore (4-9, 3.59 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 140 strikeouts); Twins: Zebby Matthews (1-2, 6.26 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 31 strikeouts)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Twins -142, Nationals +120; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Twins host the Washington Nationals on Friday to begin a three-game series.

Minnesota has a 49-53 record overall and a 28-20 record in home games. The Twins have a 37-15 record in games when they record eight or more hits.

Washington is 20-30 on the road and 41-61 overall. The Nationals have a 29-10 record in games when they scored at least five runs.

The teams meet Friday for the first time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Byron Buxton leads the Twins with 41 extra base hits (14 doubles, four triples and 23 home runs). Royce Lewis is 11 for 35 with three doubles, three home runs and six RBIs over the past 10 games.

James Wood has 24 home runs, 62 walks and 70 RBIs while hitting .272 for the Nationals. Brady House is 13 for 38 with three doubles, two home runs and five RBIs over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Twins: 4-6, .252 batting average, 4.91 ERA, even run differential

Nationals: 3-7, .222 batting average, 5.96 ERA, outscored by 28 runs

INJURIES: Twins: David Festa: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Bailey Ober: 15-Day IL (hip), Pablo Lopez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Luke Keaschall: 60-Day IL (forearm)

Nationals: Dylan Crews: 60-Day IL (back), Trevor Williams: 60-Day IL (elbow), Keibert Ruiz: 7-Day IL (concussion), Derek Law: 60-Day IL (forearm), DJ Herz: 60-Day IL (elbow), Josiah Gray: 60-Day IL (elbow)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.