Minnesota Twins vs San Francisco Giants Picks and Predictions May 9th 2025

Giants and Twins Ride High Into Minneapolis

Two of the hottest teams in Major League Baseball are set to collide as the San Francisco Giants travel to face the Minnesota Twins on Friday night. Both clubs are fresh off winning series and carrying meaningful momentum.

The Giants are coming off an off day and a successful visit to Wrigley Field, where they took two of three games from the Chicago Cubs. San Francisco has now won five of their last six and seems to be clicking in all facets of the game.

“We’ve played pretty well on the road this year,” said manager Bob Melvin. “It’s always nice to win right before an off day.”

Melvin’s squad has been getting timely hits and solid outings from the rotation. They’ve shown resilience, often battling back from deficits and leaning on both clutch bats and late-inning bullpen execution.

Check how San Francisco’s betting line stacks up against AL opponents on the MLB Odds Page.

Koss: “We Never Feel Out of Games”

Part of the Giants’ recent success can be traced to the team’s confidence and clubhouse chemistry. Second baseman Christian Koss emphasized the unity of the team.

“It’s just the will of the guys,” Koss said. “We have a great group in that clubhouse.”

Koss also credited the pitching staff with keeping the Giants competitive throughout games. “We’ve never felt out of any game,” he added.

That attitude has translated to results. Over the past week, San Francisco has outscored opponents 35-21 and generated offense in key moments rather than relying on long balls alone.

See individual batter and pitcher breakdowns on the MLB Team Page.

Twins Riding Season-Best Five-Game Streak

The Minnesota Twins are rolling too. After a series sweep over the Baltimore Orioles, the Twins have won five straight and four of their last five series.

Their 5-2 win Thursday capped the sweep despite registering just five hits. That trend—winning even without overwhelming offense—has defined their current surge. They’re simply doing all the little things right.

Manager Rocco Baldelli has been pushing the right buttons with the rotation and bullpen, leaning on solid pitching and elite defensive efforts like Byron Buxton’s rocket throw from center field to cut down a run at the plate.

“It was another play for his reel,” Baldelli said. “You’re not shocked when he does it, I’ll tell you that.”

Probable Pitchers: Hicks vs. Paddack

San Francisco Giants: Jordan Hicks (1-3, 6.03 ERA)
Minnesota Twins: Chris Paddack (0-3, 5.57 ERA)

The Giants will start Jordan Hicks, who, despite not recording a win since Opening Day (March 31), has pitched well enough to keep San Francisco competitive. The team has won his last two outings.

Hicks has pitched five innings in each of his past three starts, allowing just two home runs in 37.1 innings this season and notching a season-high seven strikeouts in his last appearance.

His lone career outing vs. Minnesota was a one-inning relief stint back in 2018, in which he earned his second MLB win.

Minnesota counters with Chris Paddack, who’s still searching for his first win of the season. Though his ERA sits at 5.57, he’s been serviceable, going five innings in each of his last two starts.

Paddack owns a 1-1 record with a 3.53 ERA in eight career starts against the Giants. With the Twins rearranging their rotation after Joe Ryan’s illness, Paddack gets the Friday nod as Baldelli shuffles arms.

Explore expert opinions on this matchup at the MLB Expert Betting Guide.

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What’s Fueling the Twins?

Pitching and timely defense have led Minnesota during this stretch. They’ve given up only 12 total runs during their five-game win streak, and their bullpen has slammed the door when needed.

Offensively, Ty France has been key. The veteran infielder collected six hits during the Orioles series and now has three three-hit games in his last nine contests.

Even without explosive offense, the Twins are winning in playoff-style fashion—tight games, clean defense, and tough outs in high-leverage spots.

San Francisco’s Balanced Attack

While Minnesota has been leaning on the arms, the Giants have shown more firepower. Wilmer Flores, Matt Chapman, and Heliot Ramos have all stepped up recently, while the bullpen remains well-rested after Thursday’s off day.

Melvin emphasized that the bullpen is “in good shape” heading into the Twins series, something that could be critical given Hicks hasn’t pitched beyond five innings in his last three outings.

Betting Trends to Watch

• Giants are 5-1 in their last six games.
• Twins are 9-3 in their last 12 home games.
• Under is 7-2 in Minnesota’s last 9 games.
• Giants are 4-2 in their last six road games.
• Twins are 5-0 in games where they allow fewer than four runs.

Key Matchups

Hicks vs. Left-Handed Bats:
Minnesota’s lefties like Max Kepler and Alex Kirilloff may have the edge here if Hicks’ fastball command wavers.

Paddack vs. Contact Hitters:
The Giants don’t rely heavily on home runs, so if hitters like Michael Conforto and Thairo Estrada can put the ball in play, they’ll stress Minnesota’s defense.

FAQs

Who’s starting for the Giants and Twins?
Jordan Hicks for San Francisco and Chris Paddack for Minnesota.

What is the Twins’ current win streak?
Minnesota has won five straight games, their best streak of the season.

How has Jordan Hicks performed recently?
Hicks has pitched five innings in three straight starts, with solid command and just two homers allowed in over 37 innings.

Is Chris Paddack still winless?
Yes, he is 0-3 this season but has kept the Twins in games with several five-inning outings.

Which players are hot at the plate?
Ty France (Twins) and Matt Chapman (Giants) have both had multiple multi-hit games recently.

Where can I find more betting odds and picks?
Visit the MLB Picks Page for daily expert picks and analysis.