Twins Target A’s Sweep Behind Festa After 3 Dominant Wins

Oakland Athletics vs Minnesota Twins June 5th 2025

The Minnesota Twins visit the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, CA, for an afternoon game on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The game starts at 3:35 PM and will be broadcast on NSPCA. The weather is expected to be mild with a clear sky and a light breeze blowing in.

The Twins, managed by Rocco Baldelli, have a season record of 34-27 and are 6 games behind in the AL Central. They have a road record of 16-19. The Athletics, led by Mark Kotsay, hold a 23-40 record and are 11 games behind in the AL West. Their home record is 9-22. Starting for the Twins is David Festa, while Mitch Spence takes the mound for the Athletics.

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Twins vs Athletics Key Information

Sport: Baseball
Teams: Minnesota Twins vs. Athletics
Venue: Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, CA
Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025
Betting Odds: Twins MoneyLine -169, Athletics MoneyLine +138

The Twins Can Win If…

The Minnesota Twins are coming off a strong win against the None Athletics, with a 6-1 victory on June 4th. Zebby Matthews pitched well, allowing only one run over five innings. Ryan Jeffers and Harrison Bader each hit a home run, providing the offensive spark for the team.

The Twins’ pitching has been solid this season, with a team ERA of 3.29, ranking 6th in the league. Their ability to limit home runs, giving up only 56, also ranks 6th. With David Festa taking the mound, who has an ERA of 1.39, the Twins have a good chance to keep the Athletics’ bats quiet.

Offensively, the Twins have shown power with 61 home runs, placing them 13th in the league. Key players like Byron Buxton and Trevor Larnach have been consistent contributors. Buxton leads the team with 10 home runs, while Larnach has 9, making them a threat to any pitching staff.

The Athletics Can Win If…

The None Athletics are looking to bounce back after a recent loss to the Minnesota Twins, 6-1. Despite the loss, Jacob Wilson had a strong performance, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Lawrence Butler also contributed with a hit and a run, showing he can be a key player in the lineup.

The Athletics have some solid stats that can lead them to victory. Their team slugging percentage is ranked 6th in the league at .414, and they have hit 75 home runs this season, ranking them 7th. These numbers show they have the power to score runs and win games.

Mitch Spence will take the mound for the Athletics, bringing a 4.38 ERA and a 1-1 record. He has the potential to keep the game close against the Twins. With key hitters like Tyler Soderstrom and Brent Rooker, who have a combined 25 home runs, the Athletics have the firepower to win this game.

The Lean

The Twins are favored with a moneyline of -169 against the Athletics’ +138. The Twins have a strong pitching advantage with an ERA of 3.29, ranked 6th, while the Athletics have an ERA of 5.83, ranked 30th. My model projects the Twins to win the game 5-3, making the Twins a solid pick on the moneyline.

The over/under line is set at 8.5 runs. The Athletics’ pitching struggles, with a high ERA and batting average against, suggest runs could be scored. However, the Twins’ strong pitching could limit the Athletics’ offense. My model projects a total of 8 runs, recommending the under for this game.

Twins Aim for Series Sweep as A’s Struggles Deepen

The Minnesota Twins are rolling into Thursday’s series finale against the Oakland Athletics with nothing but confidence — and for good reason. After taking the first three games of the four-game set in convincing fashion, Minnesota is in position to complete a sweep in West Sacramento.

The numbers don’t lie: the Twins have outscored the A’s 26-8, pounding out 11 extra-base hits, including five home runs. On Wednesday night, Harrison Bader crushed a two-run shot and Ryan Jeffers followed up with a solo homer, pacing the Twins to a 6-1 victory that never really felt in doubt.

“All those swings always feel good,” said Bader. “You just want to have a good at-bat for your team. I’m happy I found a pitch I could do damage with.”

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David Festa Gets the Call in Series Finale

To finish off the sweep, Minnesota is turning to right-hander David Festa (0-0, 1.38 ERA), who was called up from Triple-A Saint Paul early Wednesday. Festa had just been preparing for a start with Saint Paul when he got the call-up — but it took a while to reach him.

“I woke up to 45 missed calls,” Festa told reporters. “I didn’t even wake up to a phone call. I woke up to our head of player development banging on my apartment door.”

The 24-year-old will be making his first appearance against the A’s and is looking for his first win of the season. His three MLB starts in April were brief but effective — striking out 15 and walking five across 13 innings. Now, he’ll be tested by a team desperately searching for answers.

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A baseball pitcher in a gray jersey prepares to throw a pitch, wearing a cap and a glove, with a blurred background of the stadium.

A’s Continue Downward Spiral Amid Offensive Woes

Things aren’t just bad for Oakland — they’re downright brutal. With Wednesday’s loss, the A’s have now dropped nine straight games and 20 of their last 21. During the current skid, they’ve been outscored 81-30, and the offense has been largely absent.

Rookie Jacob Wilson continues to shine amid the darkness, collecting two more hits Wednesday to raise his average to .358. He drove in the team’s only run — but it wasn’t nearly enough. After the starter exited, the Minnesota bullpen shut it down, striking out 10 across four scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and one walk.

“We struck out 14 times,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay. “When you score one run, it doesn’t matter how many you give up.”

For more real-time data on betting trends and scoring margins, head to the MLB Odds Page.

FAQ: Can Oakland Avoid the Sweep?

Who’s pitching for Oakland in the series finale?

The A’s will start Mitch Spence (1-1, 4.38 ERA), who has pitched solely in relief in 2025. This will be his first start of the year after 22 appearances out of the bullpen.

Has Spence faced the Twins before?

Yes. He started against Minnesota last season and gave up four runs and nine hits over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision.

What’s been the biggest issue for the A’s during this losing streak?

Inconsistent pitching and lack of offense. They’ve allowed eight or more runs in 13 of the last 21 games, and their run production continues to lag.

Why is Carlos Correa out for Minnesota?

Correa was scratched Wednesday due to back tightness and will sit again Thursday. The team doesn’t consider the injury long-term.

How does Festa match up with the A’s?

Though he hasn’t faced them before, his command and strikeout ability will be tested against a team that’s struggled to make contact all series.

Oakland Athletics vs Minnesota Twins Picks and Predictions June 5th 2025