Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians – 9/12/20 MLB Pick, Odds, and Prediction
2020-09-12 20:07:00 EDT
The Cleveland Indians and the Minnesota Twins meet Saturday in MLB action from Target Field.
This will be game two in a three-game set between these teams this weekend. In the Friday opener, the Twins scored twice in the second inning and were able to hang on for a 3-1 win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks and MLB predictions at Sports Chat Place.
The Indians notched six hits to Minnesota’s five in the Friday loss, and couldn’t turn their limited offensive opportunities into runs. Cleveland’s top hitter was Jose Ramirez, with two hits and a solo homer. Starting pitcher Shane Bieber went 7.0 innings with five hits, three earned, two walks, eight strikeouts and two homers allowed.
For the Saturday starting pitcher role, the Indians will send out Zach Plesac. In five starts this season, Plesac is 3-1 with a 1.32 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 34.0 innings. Over his MLB career, Plesac is 11-7 with a 3.25 ERA and 122 Ks in 149.2 innings.
Over on the Twins’ side, Friday starting pitcher Kenta Maeda went 7.0 innings for his seventh win of the year, logging no earned on four hits, two walks and four strikeouts. Byron Buxton had the big swing in the victory with a two-run homer in the second inning.
In Saturday’s start, Minnesota will send Rich Hill to the mound. In five starts this year, Hill is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA and 15 Ks in 21.0 innings. Over his MLB career, Hill is 66-43 with a 3.82 ERA and 1019 Ks in 958.1 innings total.
The Indians are 5-0 in their last five Saturday games and 7-1 in the last eight during game two of a series. Cleveland is 40-15 in the last 55 games as a road favorite and the under is 11-3 in their last 14 during game two of a series.
Meanwhile, the Twins are 27-12 in the last 39 Saturday games and 3-7 in their last 10 during game two of a series. The under is 5-1 in Minnesota’s last six Saturday games and 5-1 in their last six during game two of a series.
Pick: I’m going with the Indians, despite the tepid Friday game. I like Plesac to stay hot and deliver a nice start here. Over his two starts since returning from the alternate training site demotion, Plesac has given up just two runs on 11 hits with 10 strikeouts in 13 innings of work. As for Hill, he’s a solid pitcher in his own right when he’s got everything together, and I like things to stay close until we start getting to the bullpens. I think Cleveland can power one out behind Plesac.
