The Cleveland Indians will be squaring off against their AL Central rival Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The matchup will begin at 4:10 p.m. ET and fans hoping to watch it can tune in to SportsTime Ohio.
Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Vegas is listing Minnesota (+135) as the underdog to Cleveland (-145). The total sits at 9 runs and bettors can wager on the over or the under for -110. Runline odds stand at +100 for taking the Indians -1.5 runs and -120 for the Twins +1.5 runs.
The Indians are 30-26 SU and are 25-30 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 5.7 units for moneyline gamblers and 8.7 units ATS. The Twins, on the other hand, are 23-30 SU and 30-22 ATS. They’ve lost 9.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 6.0 units ATS.
Twins games have a 25-26-1 over/under record so far in 2018. Cleveland has been a decent over bet with a total record of 31-22-2.
The right-handed Trevor Bauer is projected to start for Cleveland. Bauer is 4-3 with a 2.61 ERA and 86 strikeouts. He has yet to face Minnesota this year, but he did make four starts against the Twins in 2017, compiling a 3-1 record against them with a 3.71 ERA and 27 strikeouts.
The Twins will put the ball in the right hand of Lance Lynn (3-4, 5.94 ERA, 1.82 WHIP), who’s got 50 strikeouts and 33 walks. Lynn did not record a start against the Indians in 2017.
Cleveland’s pitchers have allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starters own a 3.56 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 8.63 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 6.01, along with a WHIP of 1.13 and a K-per-9 of 8.84.
Indians hitters have slashed .256/.325/.447 on their way to 5.1 runs scored per game this season, including 5.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 7.6 per game over the teams last five outings (4-1 SU).
Shortstop Francisco Lindor and third baseman Jose Ramirez continue to lead Cleveland’s hitters. Lindor is slashing .307/.381/.571 with 14 home runs, 35 RBIs, 44 runs and six stolen bases, while Ramirez (.301/.391/.634) is up to 18 homers, 41 RBIs, 41 runs and seven stolen bases.
For the home team, Minnesota’s pitching staff has yielded 4.6 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has a 4.34 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.29 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 8.9 K/9. In 15 divisional games, Twins starters have an ERA of 4.30 and the bullpens ERA is 2.35.
Minnesota’s hitters have put up 4.2 runs per contest, including 4.9 per game against divisional foes and 6.4 per game over their last five. The team has hit .266/.359/.464 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Twins hitters have been led by left fielder Eddie Rosario and shortstop Eduardo Escobar. Rosario is slashing .308/.339/.517 with nine home runs, 34 RBIs, 32 runs and five stolen bases, and Escobar’s line sits at .272/.327/.523 with 10 homers, 30 RBIs and 29 runs scored.
Compared to his total season slash line of .290/.328/.507, Rosario performed well against righties at home last year, slashing .351/.402/.733 over 209 such plate appearances.
The Indians have lost 6.3 units and are 16-20 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 20 of those games, compared to 14 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Twins have lost 7.8 units and are 21-17 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in 20 of those games, compared to 17 that’ve cashed the under.
Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Indians, O/U – UNDER
Betting Trends
- The over has hit in three of Minnesota’s last seven games.
- Cleveland has posted 27.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 31.2 over its last five.
- The Indians have hit 17 home runs in their last 10 games, including 10 over their last five.
