The Cleveland Indians are heading west to Hiram Bithorn Stadium to take on their AL Central nemesis Minnesota Twins. The matchup can be viewed across the country on Fox Sports One and the first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Cleveland (-200) as the favorite over Minnesota (+185). The total is sitting at 7.5 runs and bettors can wager on the over for even money (+100) and the under for -120. Gamblers can also bet on the game’s runline with the current odds standing at -140 for the Indians -1.5 runs and +120 for the Twins +1.5.
The Indians have gone 8-6 SU this year and are 5-9 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 1.4 units for moneyline bettors in this young season and 5.0 units ATS. Cleveland has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven. The Twins, on the other hand, are 7-4 SU and 9-2 ATS. The team’s gained 3.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 7.2 units ATS. Minnesota has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Twins games have had an over/under record of 4-7 so far in 2018. Cleveland has an over/under record of 5-9.
Right-hander Corey Kluber (1-1, 1.57 ERA) will get the nod for Cleveland. Kluber recorded 265 strikeouts across 203 innings last year (29 starts) while finishing the season 18-4 overall with a 2.25 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP.
The Twinkies are going with righty Jake Odorizzi (1-0, 2.20 ERA) as their starter. Odorizzi started 28 games last year and finished the season 10-8 overall with a 4.14 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP.
Cleveland’s pitchers have allowed 3.2 runs per game and its starters own a 3.06 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 8.15 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.32, along with a WHIP of 1.05.
Indians hitters have slashed .200/.281/.326 on their way to 3.5 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.4 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Cleveland’s offense has been led by outfielders Tyler Naquin and Lonnie Chisenhall. Naquin is slashing .280/.333/.400 with seven hits, four RBIs and three runs scored, while Chisenhall (.235/.381/.294) has produced four hits, zero RBIs and three runs scored.
In the other dugout, Minnesota’s pitching staff has allowed 3.4 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have an ERA of 2.97, a WHIP of 1.24 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.2. The bullpen has a 3.52 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 8.9 K/9. In one divisional games, Twins starters have an ERA of 0.00 and the bullpen’s ERA is 0.00.
Minnesota’s hitters are putting up 4.6 runs per outing, including 4.2 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .238/.346/.360 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Twins’ offense has been led by first baseman Joe Mauer and second baseman Brian Dozier. Mauer is slashing .412/.545/.529 with 14 hits, six RBIs and six runs scored, and Dozier’s line sits at .289/.385/.600 with 13 hits, six RBIs and 12 runs.
The Indians have lost 3.9 units and are 4-5 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in four of those games, as opposed to five that’ve gone under against righties. On the other hand, the Twins have netted 0.9 units and are 7-2 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in four of those games, as opposed to five that’ve gone under.
Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Indians, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Trends
Minnesota has recorded 21.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 19.8 over its last five.
The Indians have hit seven home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
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