In the first of a three-game series between the Cleveland Indians (73-56) and the Minnesota Twins (49-81) at Progressive Field, Trevor Bauer (9-6, 3.88 ERA) and Hector Santiago (10-8, 5.16 ERA) get the ball. The Twins go into this series looking to snap a 10-game losing streak. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 29 and will air on STOh and FSN.
In his most recent outing, Bauer pitched 6.2 innings, allowing five runs (two unearned), striking out three and walking two in a 5-1 loss to the Athletics. The Twins were unsuccessful against the Royals 10-0 the last time Santiago pitched. He went 4.2 innings, giving up eight runs and striking out two. Miguel Sano (.244, 47 Rs, 20 HRs, 53 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well, going 2 for 5 yesterday with two RBIs.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. The Indians have a SU record of 33-17 against teams in their division. The Indians come into the game with the second-ranked scoring offense in the AL, averaging 4.9 runs per game. The Indians rank third in the AL in hits with 9.1 per game. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking fifth in all of baseball with 104 steals. As for the pitching staff, the Indians don’t give up many hits to opposing batters, leading the AL with only 8.2 hits allowed per game. An area where the Indians are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average 8.6 K’s per game.
Against teams in their division, the Twins are 15-35 SU. The Twins seem to play worse against their division opponents. In divisional matchups, Minnesota has averaged 3.9 runs per game, compared to 4.6 for the duration of the season. Minnesota’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 8.2 runs per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 5.5.
The Twins have mostly come out on top against the Indians in their previous 13 games this season, earning an 8-5 record. The Indians will take on a left-hander (Santiago) in this game. They have done very well against left-handed starting pitchers this season (26-15), especially at home where they have a 15-5 record. The right-handed Bauer will take the mound against the Twins. Against righty starters this season, they have an awful 34-62 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – CLE
Notes
Minnesota has won 45% (27-33) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Cleveland has won 53% (28-25) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Twins managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Indians who are heading in with a 31-14 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Twins are 36-9. The Indians have a 59-7 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 13th in runs, Minnesota has earned 595 this season. Cleveland ranks sixth with 632 runs.
Ranking 16th, Cleveland is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 391 this season. Minnesota ranks in the top half at 12th with 407.
When the Indians hit at least one home run, they are 52-35. When the Twins hit at least one homer, they have a 40-44 record.
