Ricky Nolasco (1-0, 2.66 ERA) and Cody Anderson (0-1, 7.53 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Minnesota Twins (6-14) and the Cleveland Indians (9-8) at Target Field. The Twins won the last game 4-3, and Minnesota leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Apr. 26 and can be seen on STOh and FSN.
Nolasco pitched 6.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering one run, striking out seven and walking one in an 8-1 win over the Brewers. Anderson went 3.2 innings, surrendering five runs and striking out three in a 10-7 defeat to the Mariners in his most recent start. Marlon Byrd (.302, 5 Rs, 2 HRs, 8 RBIs) has been successful at the plate to start the season for the Indians, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
The odds for Minnesota and Cleveland are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. Within its division, Minnesota has a record of 4-2 SU. The Twins have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Minnesota’s batters do not strike out very often, with only 9.4 per game. Minnesota’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
The Indians are 1-6 against AL Central opponents. Offensively, the Indians have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. Moving on to Cleveland’s pitching staff and defense, the Indians allow just two runs per road game, ranking them third in the AL. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Indians are fourth in the AL with an average of 7.1 hits allowed per game.
The Twins have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – CLE
Notes
The Indians lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Twins are 3-5. The Indians are 3-3 in close games this season.
The Twins are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 10 strikeouts. The Indians have a record of 2-4 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 2-12. The Indians have a 1-4 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 22nd in home runs, Cleveland has hit 16 this season. Minnesota ranks 17th with 18 home runs.
Ranking 20th, Minnesota is in the bottom half of the league in hits, notching 8.05 per game. Cleveland ranks in the top half at 14th with 8.65.
Ranking 24th, Minnesota is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.686). Cleveland ranks in the bottom half at 17th with an OPS of .720.
The Indians are 5-6 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Twins are 3-9 when they allow at least one homer.
