Cleveland Indians (56-59) vs. Minnesota Twins (51-66)
August 16, 2021 8:10 pm EDT
The Line: Minnesota Twins -152 / Cleveland Indians +115; Over/Under: +9
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The Cleveland Indians and the Minnesota Twins meet Monday in MLB action from Target Field. The Indians are coming off a series versus the Tigers. Cleveland split the first two games in that set, then in the Sunday rubber match the Indians posted a big shutout win. As for the Twins, they played the Rays in their last series. Minnesota also split their first pair, then on Sunday the Twins won by one run in a thriller. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Cleveland posted a nice 7-4 win over the Tigers in the opener on Friday, but fell 6-4 in the Saturday game two. On Sunday, the Indians notched 14 hits on the way to an 11-0 rout. Starter Starting pitcher Triston McKenzie was great with 8.0 innings, one hit and 11 strikeouts.
For the Monday starter job, the Indians will be sending out Cal Quantrill. Over his 97.2 frames this season Quantrill has 87 hits, 37 runs (34 earned), eight homers allowed, 33 walks, 76 Ks and a 3.13 ERA.
Over on the Twins’ side, they lost 10-4 to the Rays in the Friday game, but bounced back for a 12-0 shutout win on Saturday In the rubber match Sunday Minnesota got a big victory on a walk-off 5-4. Charlie Barnes lasted 5.0 innings with one earned on three hits.
Starting pitcher for the Twins on Monday will be Griffin Jax. In 38.0 innings of action so far this year Jax has 33 hits, 23 earned runs, 10 homers, 13 walks, 32 strikeouts and a 5.45 ERA.
The Indians are 4-1 in their last five in game one of a series and 6-2 in their last eight Monday games. The over is 24-11-3 in Cleveland’s last 38 versus the AL Central and 5-2 in their last seven with a total of 9.0-10.5.
Meanwhile, the Twins are 2-8 in their last 10 versus a team with a losing record and 1-4 in their last five at home versus a team with a losing record. The over is 5-1 in the Twins’ last six Monday games and 33-15-5 in their last 53 versus the AL Central.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Indians. We should have a nice starter matchup on our hands here, though. Quantrill has given up just two earned over his last three starts, totaling 10 hits and seven walks through 19.0 innings in that span. As for Jax, he’s given up six earned over his last four starts in a period of 20.1 frames. I like both guys to pitch well in this one, with Cleveland pulling out a late win.
