Tommy Milone (5-3, 3.76 ERA) and Carlos Carrasco (11-8, 3.68 ERA) take the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Minnesota Twins (58-58) and the Cleveland Indians (54-61) at Target Field. The Twins won the last game 4-1 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 16 and can be seen on STOh and FSN.
Milone pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering four runs and striking out four in a 6-1 defeat to the Mariners. Brian Dozier (.246, 81 Rs, 25 HRs, 61 RBIs, 9 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. Carrasco went 8.0 innings, surrendering two runs and striking out eight in a 5-4 defeat to the Yankees in his most recent start.
Cleveland takes on Minnesota as a -138 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at eight runs. The Twins have an overall money line of +925 and a record as the underdog of 43-48. 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 7.0 runs per game, well above its season average of 4.5.
In games where it is the favorite, Cleveland has a 38-38 record and an overall money line of -1,825. They played solid baseball as the favorite over their last 10 games with a 5-1 record, and a 6-4 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 6.2 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 3.26 ERA on the road. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Indians are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.20 for the season. The Indians have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 8.9 strikeouts per game.
The Twins lead the season series, 6-5. The Twins have a 36-40 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Carrasco takes the mound. Milone (LHP) will be on the hill against the Indians, who have a inferior 14-24 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Cle, O/U – Over
Notes
Minnesota earned its ninth shutout of the season in its last game. Cleveland has been shut out nine times this season.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Twins are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Indians have a 7-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 8-46. The Twins have a 10-51 record when opponents outhit them.
Cleveland ranks near the bottom of the league at 25th when it comes to home runs, hitting 93 this season. Minnesota ranks in the bottom half at 16th with 104.
Ranking 11th, Minnesota is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.25 per game. Cleveland ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 8.68.
Ranking 21st, Minnesota is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.701). Cleveland ranks in the top half at 14th with an OPS of .718.
The Indians are 33-50 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Twins are 32-46 when they allow at least one homer.
