Trevor May (8-7, 4.09 ERA) and Corey Kluber (7-12, 3.46 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Minnesota Twins (57-57) and the Cleveland Indians (53-60) at Target Field. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 14 and can be seen on STOh and FSN.
May pitched 1.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering zero runs and striking out one in an 8-1 defeat to the Indians. Trevor Plouffe (.248, 53 Rs, 16 HRs, 62 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. Kluber went 9.0 innings, surrendering one run, striking out 10 and walking one in an 8-1 win over the Twins in his last outing.
Cleveland takes on Minnesota as a -138 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at seven runs. The Twins have an overall money line of +1,025 and a record as the underdog of 43-47. Minnesota has recorded a disappointing 1-6 record as the underdog over its last 10 games. Minnesota’s pitching staff has been doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 6.9 runs per game, well above its season average of 4.5.
In games where it is the favorite, Cleveland has a 37-38 record and an overall money line of -1,925. They played solid baseball as the favorite over their last 10 games with a 4-1 record, and a 5-5 record SU. Offensively, the Indians have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.0 runs per game by averaging 5.7 during that stretch. Cleveland is excellent at not striking out with just 7.2 per game, ranking fifth in the AL. Cleveland’s pitching staff has set the standard for its league, with an AL-low 3.30 ERA on the road. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Indians are fourth in the AL with an average of 8.1 hits allowed per game. The Indians have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 9.0 strikeouts per game.
The Twins lead the season series, 5-4. May (RHP) will be on the hill against the Indians, who have a 39-36 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Cle, O/U – Over
Notes
For the 10th time this season, the Indians registered at least two errors in a game.
The Twins are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Indians have a 10-27 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 8-45. The Twins have a 10-50 record when opponents outhit them.
Cleveland ranks near the bottom of the league at 24th when it comes to home runs, hitting 92 this season. Minnesota ranks in the bottom half at 16th with 103.
Ranking 11th, Minnesota is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.33 per game. Cleveland ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 8.60.
Ranking 18th, Minnesota is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.704). Cleveland ranks in the top half at 13th with an OPS of .716.
The Indians are 32-49 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Twins are 32-45 when they allow at least one homer.
