The Minnesota Twins welcome in the Cleveland Guardians for the middle clash of a three-game divisional bill on Wednesday night. The visitors managed to come out on top of the opener in 11 innings. It was Cleveland’s seventh victory in their last eight tries.
The Guardians (35-28) are chasing Minnesota in the MLB standings, and a win would pull them even with the Twins atop the American League Central. The hosts, however, are one of the better clubs on their home diamond. Over the last ten games, Cleveland has done better than any team in the AL but the New York Yankees.
Minnesota (38-31) hasn’t had as much luck. The Twins have fallen short in four of their last six contests, which allowed Cleveland to pull closer. This will be the second outing of a six-game home stand for the AL Central pacers.
The Twins possess a batting average within the top third of the AL. The RBI total grades out the same. Second baseman Luis Arraez has been absolutely integral, hitting .362. The mark is the best in the major leagues.
Center fielder Byron Buxton has provided the power in the lineup, smacking 19 homers and racking up 33 RBIs, which ties for the team lead with shortstop Jorge Polanco.
Behind them in that category are catcher Gary Sanchez and right fielder Max Kepler. Sanchez has the most doubles on the team (16).
Guardians vs. Twins Odds
MLB odds lean toward the home team here. Minnesota is -1.5 on the run line at +142, while the Guardians are -172 to cover the spread.
On the moneyline, the Twins are -148 and Milwaukee a +126 underdog. The total has been set at 8.5 runs, with the over being -120 and the under -102 at the time of this writing.
MLB betting trends currently have Cleveland teetering toward the bottom third of the league in bringing runs across, despite having the 10th best batting average in baseball.
Third baseman Jose Ramirez has a .303 average himself and also leads the Cleveland Guardians with 16 long balls and 62 RBIs.
Rookie center fielder Steven Kwan, shortstop Amed Rosario, and first baseman Owen Miller are contributors to the order, which only has 50 homers. Only Ramirez has been able to club them in the double digits, and Cleveland ranks close to the bottom in putting baseballs over the outfield fences.
If the Guardians are to win this one and get back even with the Twins, it’s not likely that it’s because of their power.
Matchup Information
Guardians vs. Twins Betting Preview
Triston McKenzie will go for the visitors. The 24-year-old righty has a 0.93 WHIP, which is one of the best in the major leagues. He owns a 4-5 record and a 2.96 ERA, as well.
McKenzie has helped Cleveland to wins in his last two outings. At Colorado last Thursday, he pitched for six innings, conceding seven hits and only one earned run. It was the fifth time this season that he allowed one run or less.
In away games, McKenzie has dropped five of his nine appearances.
Sonny Gray will toe the rubber for the Twins. In eight starts, he has a 3-1 record, a 2.09 ERA, and a 0.93 WHIP.
Minnesota Twins has benefitted with Gray on the hill, as they haven’t lost in one of his outings since April. They’ve won six times in a row, including a 5-0 final at Seattle last Wednesday. He went five frames, and the Mariners only mustered three hits and didn’t plate a run.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Minnesota Twins Picks and Predictions
With these teams going at it out for temporary supremacy, this will be one of the entertaining MLB matchups today.
If you’re planning on betting on baseball tonight, go with Minnesota to ride Gray’s hot hand and Arraez’s hot bat to win cover at home with MLB picks today. The Guardians will have to wait to catch up. At least for now.
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