Cleveland Indians (6-8) at Minnesota Twins (11-4)
1:10 PM ET on MLBN
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Starting Pitchers
CLE: M. Talbort (1-1, 3.21 ERA)
MINN: S. Baker (2-1,3.38 ERA)
The Twins’ new digs have worked out well so far as the team has won six of their last eight at Target Field. Now they will complete their ten game home stand with the final game of a three-game series against the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night.
After wining game one 5-1 with a little help from first baseman Justin Morneau, who had two hits and an RBI, the Twins followed up by shutting out the Indians 6-0 in game two on Wednesday night. Michael Cuddyer put on a hitting clinic with a homer, a triple and three RBIs for Minnesota, who are off to an impressive 11-4 start. Not only have the Twins been hitting and pitching well, but they have also shown great plate discipline using 11 walks in the series to help put runners on the base pads. Just the opposite, the Indians have been terrible offensively, and began Wednesday’s contest last in the AL in batting average (.214) and slugging percentage (.338) and second-to-last in runs (46) and on-base percentage (.303). Shin Soo Choo, who leads the club with four home runs, 12 RBIs and a .318 AVG, has gone 1-for-8 thus far in the series. Cleveland will need to get the offense to wake up if they want to avoid being swept on Thursday.
Starting for the Tribe will be right-hander Mitch Talbort. The 26-year old was a 2nd round draft pick by the Houston Astros in 2002 and after spending a stint with Tampa Bay in 2008 was dealt to Cleveland. He started the 2010 season with a loss at Detroit surrender four earned runs in five innings but rebounded against the White Sox pitching a complete game while allowing a single run and six hits in a 6-2 win. Talbort is 0-1 1 against the Twins in a single career start with an ERA of 7.20.
For the Twins, they will go with 6’4” righty Scott Baker out of Oklahoma State. After losing in his season debut against the Angels, the 28-year old have turned it around recording two consecutive wins. The first against the Chicago White Sox and then against the Royals in a 10-3 win. Baker has started against the Indians 16 times with lifetime record of 7-5 and a 3.14 ERA.
The odds makers have the Twins as –1 ½ -point favorites with a game total of 9 runs.
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With Cleveland’s anemic offense combined with the way the Twins are playing both offensively and defensively, I just can’t see the Indians beating them in this one. Minnesota wins and the UNDER.
Cleveland Indians Betting Trends:
- Cleveland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
- Cleveland is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games
- Cleveland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- Cleveland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota Twins Betting Trends:
- Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
- Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
- Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
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