Indians vs. Twins Pick
Can the Minnesota Twins increase their lead in the AL Central when they host the Cleveland Indians tonight at 8:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Indians are favored on the road, as they are getting odds of -165 to win. The Twins are getting a money line of +150 to prevail, while the over/under total has been set at 10 runs. These two have met six times this season and the road team is 5-1 in the six games.
MLB Quick Links: Scores & Matchups | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Betting Trends | ATS Stats
Tonight’s pitching matchup features Carlos Carrasco (6-3, 3.36 ERA) on the mound for Cleveland to face Nik Turley (0-0, 9.00) of the Twins. Turley has made just one start, pitching last week at San Francisco. He went four innings and allowed eight hits and four runs with four strikeouts. Carrasco has been somewhat hot-and-cold, allowing four or more runs in three of his last five starts. He has 72 strikeouts with 19 walks this season and a WHIP of 1.00.
The Indians avoided a sweep at home when they beat the Dodgers on Thursday afternoon. They are still just 3-5 in their last eight games. Cleveland is 32-31 overall and 17-14 on the road. The Indians are averaging 4.56 runs per game while allowing 4.27. Michael Brantley has been leading the team with a .296 average, 13 doubles, five homers and 28 RBI. Brantley will miss this game due to the birth of his child. Edwin Encarnacion is leading the team in home runs with 13.
Minnesota salvaged a four-game split with the Mariners at home this week, but the Twins are just 2-3 in their last five games. The Twins are now 34-29 overall and 15-20 at home. Minnesota is putting up 4.83 runs per game while allowing 5.21 per contest. Miguel Sano is leading the team with 16 home runs, 48 RBI and a .297 average. Brian Dozier is adding 14 doubles, 11 home runs and 29 RBI.
Carrasco has been in somewhat of a funk, but I just can’t put my money on Turley to lead the Twins to a win today. He didn’t look good in his first start and isn’t likely to get deep into this game. Handing the ball to the bullpen isn’t going to work out well either, as the Twins have one of the worst staffs in the league. If Carrasco struggles, he’s got some arms coming out of the pen that can get outs. Look for the Cleveland pitching to be the key to tonight’s win.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: CLEVELAND INDIANS -165