The Minnesota Twins will play host to their divisional rival Cleveland Indians at Target Field. The matchup will get going at 8:10 p.m. ET and fans looking to watch it can tune in to SportsTime Ohio.
Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Cleveland (-130) is favored over Minnesota (+120) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this one at 9 runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total sit at -110 for both the over and the under. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds standing at +115 for the Indians -1.5 runs and -135 for the Twins +1.5.
The Indians have gone 29-25 SU this year and are 24-29 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 7.7 units for moneyline gamblers and 8.7 units ATS. Cleveland has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the over has hit in five of those seven. The Twins, on the other hand, are 22-29 SU and 29-21 ATS. They’ve lost 7.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 6.0 units ATS. Minnesota has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in six of those seven.
Minnesota games have had an over/under record of 23-26-1 so far in 2018. Cleveland has been a decent over bet with a total record of 29-22-2.
Shane Bieber will get the start for Cleveland. The right-handed Bieber is 0-0 with an ERA. He has yet to face the Twins this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Twins are turning to righty Jake Odorizzi (3-2, 3.34 ERA), who has 58 punchouts and 24 walks to his credit as well as a WHIP of 1.28. Odorizzi is 0-1 with six strikeouts and a 7.20 ERA in one start against Cleveland this year.
Minnesota’s pitching staff has given up 4.5 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. Its starters have a 4.14 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.44 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 9.1 K/9. In 13 games against AL Central opponents, Twins starters have an ERA of 3.56 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.57.
Minnesota’s offense has produced 4.1 runs per contest, including 4.5 per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .218/.301/.332 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
Left fielder Eddie Rosario and second baseman Brian Dozier have led the Twins’ batters this year. Rosario is hitting .305/.332/.522 with nine home runs, 32 RBIs, 31 runs and five steals, while Dozier is batting .237 with eight homers, 21 RBIs and 31 runs.
Rosario performed well against right-handed pitching at home in 2017. Over 209 such plate appearances, he slashed .351/.402/.733 (compared to his overall season line of .290/.328/.507).
For the visitors, Cleveland’s pitchers have allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.40 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 8.66 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 6.02, along with a K-per-9 of 8.88.
Indians hitters have slashed .255/.325/.443 on their way to 5.0 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 8.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (5-0 SU).
Shortstop Francisco Lindor and third baseman Jose Ramirez have led Cleveland’s offense. Lindor is slashing .300/.375/.538 with 12 home runs, 30 RBIs, 41 runs and six stolen bases, while Ramirez is hitting .300/.393/.628 with 17 homers, 40 RBIs, 39 runs and seven stolen bases.
Lindor didn’t do especially well against righties on the road in 2017. Across 241 such plate appearances, he maintained a slash line of .220/.270/.439 (his total season line was .273/.337/.505).
The Indians have lost 8.3 units and are 15-19 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 18 of those games, compared to 14 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Twins have lost 5.5 units and are 20-16 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 18 of those games, compared to 17 that’ve cashed the under.
Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Indians, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The Indians have hit 14 home runs in their last 10 games, including 13 over their last five.
Minnesota has recorded 18 runs + hits + errors per game over its last 10 games and 21 over its last five.
The Twins have lost six of their last seven games SU.
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