After taking the first two games of this AL Central divisional series, the Indians shoot for a much-needed sweep of the Twins Thursday night at Progressive Field. Which way are we going here for our MLB betting prediction?
MLB Betting Odds
Thursday’s MLB betting odds opened Cleveland at around -110 over Minnesota, with an over/under of 8.5 runs. Early betting action then pushed this game to a pick ’em and bumped the total to nine.
Twins vs. Indians Set-Up
The Tribe grabbed the opener of this series Tuesday night 5-2, then won Wednesday 9-7. Cleveland banged out four homers Tuesday, then three more Wednesday.
Even with the consecutive losses, the Twins are 10-4 over their last 14 games.
With back-to-back victories, the Indians are 5-3 over their last eight games.
At 40-20 overall Minnesota leads the AL Central by 9.5 games over 31-30 Cleveland.
The Indians lead this season series three games to two.
Thursday’s Starting Arms
Bauer is 8/13 on quality starts this season, but he’s not been getting much help from his defense as of late. Last Friday he gave up six runs in seven innings against the White Sox, but only two of those runs were earned. And just before that, he gave up four runs in six innings against Tampa Bay, but again only two of those runs were earned.
On the season Cleveland is 6-7 with Bauer, 0-3 over his last three starts, but that’s not all his fault.
Over his last four starts against the Twins, three last year and one back in March of this season, Bauer allowed six ER and 14 hits through 25 innings, with 34 strikeouts. The Indians won three of those four games.
Berrios is 9/12 on quality starts this season and two for his last two. Last Friday he held the Rays to three runs and three hits through 6 2/3 innings, and just before that he allowed four runs, although only one was earned, and nine hits through 6 2/3 innings against the White Sox.
On the season the Twins are 10-2 with Berrios, 3-0 over his last three starts.
Over his last four starts against Cleveland, three last year and one back in March, Berrios allowed eight runs and 14 hits through 24 2/3 innings. Minnesota won three of those four games.
Thursday’s Batting Splits
Minnesota is batting .264/.331/.513 against right-handed pitching this season, which ranks this unit among the top five in the Majors in this split.
Cleveland is batting .230/.315/.384 against RH pitching, which ranks this unit among the bottom five in Baseball in this split.
The Bullpens
The Twins bullpen owns a 4.56 ERA this season and a 1.40 WHIP.
The Tribe pen owns a 3.19 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP, both of which rank No. 2 in the Majors.
Totals Report
- Overs are 30-27 in Twins games this season.
- Unders are 36-24 in Indians games this season.
- Unders are 18-13 in games played at Progressive Field this season.
- Unders are 3-2 in Twins-Indians games this season.
- Get more details: Minnesota at Cleveland MLB Match-up Stats
