Minnesota Twins (59-77) vs. Cleveland Indians (68-66)
September 6, 2021 6:10 pm EDT
The Line: Cleveland Indians -120 / Minnesota Twins -111; Over/Under: -8.5
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The Minnesota Twins and the Cleveland Indians meet Monday in MLB action from Progressive Field. Minnesota is coming off a weekend series against the Rays. The Twins lost the first two in that set, then on Sunday Minnesota eked out a one-run win to prevent the sweep. As for the Indians, they played the Red Sox in their last set. Cleveland lost their first pair as well, and on Sunday the Indians posted a six-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Minnesota took a 5-3 loss in the Friday opener versus the Rays, then lost again Saturday 11-4. In the Sunday matchup, the Twins came back from a 5-4 deficit late to snag a 6-5 victory. Griffin Jax lasted 4.2 innings with four earned on six hits and one walk.
For the starter job in the Monday game one, the Twins will send out Bailey Ober. In his 74.2 innings of work this year Ober has 73 hits, 35 runs (33 earned), 15 homers allowed, 17 walks, 77 Ks and a 3.98 ERA.
Over on the Indians’ side, they took an 8-5 loss to the Red Sox on Friday, then another defeat 4-3 on Saturday. In the Sunday game, Cleveland posted 15 hits and five runs in the ninth to ice an 11-5 win. Zach Plesac put up 5.0 innings with three earned, eight hits and three walks.
For the starting pitcher role in the Sunday game, the Indians will send out Logan Allen. Over 35.1 innings this year Allen has 36 hits, 30 runs (26 earned), 10 homers allowed, 14 walks, 23 Ks and a 6.62 ERA.
The Twins are 6-2 in their last eight Monday games and 9-23 in their last 32 with a total of 7.0-8.5. The under is 4-0 in Minnesota’s last four in game one of a series and the over is 36-17-5 in their last 58 road games.
Meanwhile, the Indians are 114-54 in their last 168 at home versus a team with a losing record and 16-7 in their last 23 at home with a total of 7.0-8.5. The over is 4-1 in Cleveland’s last five in game one of a series and 12-4 with a total of 7.0-8.5 at home.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Twins. Ober has been humming along pretty well over his last four games, posting a total of four earned runs on 20 hits in 22.1 innings of work. Ober hasn’t given up more than three earned in any of his last eight starts, and he’s hit at least 5.0 innings in each of his last five. I like him to keep it going in a Minnesota victory in this opener.
