The Minnesota Twins and the Cleveland Guardians meet Tuesday in MLB doubleheader action from Progressive Field. These will be the second and third installments in a lengthy five-game series this week. In the opener on Monday, the Twins took a dominant win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Minnesota played the Rockies over the weekend, winning two of three games for a series victory. On Monday versus Cleveland, the Twins posted a whopping 14 team hits in an 11-1 blowout win. Starter Sonny Gray put up 7.0 shutout frames with three hits and a walk.
For the game one starter slot Tuesday, Minnesota is sending out Devin Smeltzer. In his eight starts this year Smeltzer is 4-1 with a 3.05 ERA. As for game two, the Twins are going with Josh Winder. So far this season Winder is 2-2 with a 3.68 ERA and 23 Ks.
Over on the Guardians’ side, they didn’t have any luck versus the Red Sox over the weekend and fell in a three-game sweep. On Monday, Cleveland had just five hits in the loss. Triston McKenzie put up 6.0 innings in the start with seven earned on eight hits and a walk.
It looks like Zach Plesac will make the start for the Guardians in game one. Plesac is 2-5 this year with a 4.17 ERA and 50 strikeouts over 13 starts. As for game two it should be Konnor Pilkington starting out on the mound. Pilkington is 1-0 this year over eight games (five starts) with a 3.67 ERA.
GAME 1 PICK: I’m likely going to try Minnesota in game one. Smeltzer put up a solid outing in his last start with 6.0 shutout frames versus the Guardians back on June 23. That said, he had six earned in 4.1 innings in the start prior to that. I think Cleveland can do better here.
GAME 2 PICK: I’ll probably take a stab on Cleveland in game two, but I’m also probably not going near it. Winder has had a few troubles in his last two starts with a combined eight earned on 15 hits and five walks in 7.0 frames. The Guardians should have some opportunities.