Minnesota Twins (59-77) vs. Cleveland Indians (68-66)
September 7, 2021 6:10 pm EDT
The Line: Cleveland Indians -116 / Minnesota Twins -116; Over/Under: +9
(Get latest betting odds)
The Minnesota Twins and the Cleveland Indians meet Tuesday in MLB action from Progressive Field. This will be the second installment in a four-game series this week. In the Monday opener, the Twins put up a three-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Minnesota posted losses to the Rays Friday and Saturday, but staved off the sweep with a one-run Sunday win. On Monday versus the Indians, the Twins had 12 hits in a 5-2 victory. Bailey Ober lasted 4.0 innings with two earned on six hits.
For the starter job in the Tuesday game, the Twins will send out John Gant. In his 97.1 innings this year Gant has a 4-9 record in 35 games (17 starts), with a 3.98 ERA and 81 strikeouts.
Over on the Indians’ side, they lost Friday and Saturday to the Red Sox, but similarly took a Sunday win to beat the sweep. On Monday, Cleveland posted eight hits and could only score in one inning during the loss. Logan Allen put up 5.1 innings with five earned, eight hits and one walk.
Starting pitcher for the Indians on Tuesday will be Aaron Civale. Over 97.2 innings this year Civale has 81 hits, 37 runs (36 earned), 14 homers allowed, 23 walks, 76 Ks and a 3.32 ERA.
The Twins are 9-23 in their last 32 with a total of 7.0-8.5 and 5-17 in their last 22 versus a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15. Minnesota is 5-21 in their last 26 Tuesday games and the over is 14-4 in their last 18 Tuesday games.
Meanwhile, the Indians are 16-7 in their last 23 at home with a total of 7.0-8.5 and 114-54 in their last 168 at home versus a team with a losing record. Cleveland is 2-6 in their last eight Tuesday games and the under is 5-0-1 in their last six in game two of a series.
PICK: I’m going to take Cleveland, but probably staying away. Civil has been up and down over his last five starts; he’s got four or more earned runs in three of those. The good news however, is that Civil has zero earned in two of his last three. Gant has lost his last three games in a row, giving up four earned in two of those. I don’t think Gant will pitch too badly here but this still feels more like an Indians win.
