Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians Free Preview

Victor TrejosBaseball, MLB

The Cleveland Indians will play host to their divisional rival Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. The game gets underway 4:10 p.m. ET and SportsTime Ohio is in line to broadcast the matchup.

Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians Odds

Cleveland (-200) is hosting this game as the favorite over Minnesota (+185) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this game at 8.5 runs (-120 for the under and +100 for the over). You can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds sitting at -120 for the Twins +1.5 runs and +100 for the Indians -1.5.

The Twins are 30-36 SU and are 37-28 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 10.1 units for moneyline bettors, despite having gained 8.0 units ATS. Minnesota is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Indians, on the other hand, are 36-32 SU and 30-37 ATS. They’ve lost 8.3 units for moneyline bettors and 11.2 units ATS. Cleveland has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in six of those seven.

Indians games have had an over/under record of 34-31-2 so far in 2018. The Twins have an over/under record of 29-34-2.

The right-handed Fernando Romero is getting the nod for Minnesota. Romero is 3-2 with a 3.92 ERA and 39 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Indians this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.

The Indians will put the ball in the right hand of Carlos Carrasco (8-4, 3.90 ERA, 1.13 WHIP), who’s got 94 punchouts and 21 walks this season. Carrasco is 0-1 with nine strikeouts and a 5.06 ERA across two starts against Minnesota this year.

Cleveland’s pitching staff has allowed 4.4 runs per game overall this season as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 3.47, a WHIP of 1.12 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.1. The bullpen has a 5.46 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 9.0 K/9. In 30 games against AL Central opponents, Indians starters have an ERA of 2.85 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.45.

Cleveland’s offense has produced 4.8 runs per outing, including 4.9 per game against divisional foes and 3.0 per game over its last five. The team has hit .229/.303/.353 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that span.

The Indians’ batters have been led by shortstop Francisco Lindor and third baseman Jose Ramirez. Lindor is slashing .290/.361/.530 with 15 home runs, 36 RBIs, 52 runs and nine steals, while Ramirez is batting .292 with 20 homers, 46 RBIs, 46 runs and eight steals.

In the other dugout, Minnesota’s pitching staff allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 4.11 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.87 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.18, along with a K-per-9 of 8.86.

Twins hitters have slashed .237/.312/.401 on their way to 4.2 runs scored per game this season, including 4.8 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).

Minnesota’s hitters have been paced by left fielder Eddie Rosario and shortstop Eduardo Escobar. Rosario is slashing .313/.350/.565 with 15 home runs, 44 RBIs and 46 runs scored, while Escobar (.291/.342/.561) is up to 12 homers, 42 RBIs and 33 runs scored.

The Twins have lost 5.0 units and are 27-20 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 23 of those games, as opposed to 22 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Indians have lost 10.1 units and are 20-27 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 23 of those games, compared to 22 which went under the total.

Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians Free MLB Pick

Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Twins, O/U – OVER

Betting Trends

  • The under has cashed in six of Cleveland’s last seven games.
  • Both teams have launched nine home runs over their last 10 games.
  • Minnesota has recorded 18.5 runs + hits + errors per game over its last 10 outings and 17.6 over its last five.