The Cleveland Guardians (71-65) and Minnesota Twins (69-68) play the middle contest of a 3-game series Saturday at Target Field in Minneapolis. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Guardians vs. Twins odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Guardians lead series 7-5
The Guardians held on for a 7-6 victory in Friday’s series opener. Cleveland built a 7-0 lead in the top of the 5th inning, but Minnesota stormed back for 6 runs from the 5th through the 8th innings.
The Twins slipped to 3rd place with the loss, 2 1/2 games behind the Guardians in the AL Central Division, and they now trail the Chicago White Sox by 1 game as well. Minnesota is in freefall, going 2-7 across its last 9 games.
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Guardians at Twins projected starters
RHP Triston McKenzie vs. RHP Chris Archer
McKenzie (9-11, 3.18 ERA) makes his 26th start and 27th appearance. He has a 0.97 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 8.8 K/9 in 158 1/3 IP.
- Is 4-8 with a 3.41 ERA with a .202 opponent batting average with 76 K across 95 IP in 15 road starts and 1 relief appearance
- Has managed an 0-2 record, 8.31 ERA and .290 opponent BA with 7 HR allowed in just 17 1/3 IP across 3 starts vs. Minnesota in 2022
Archer (2-7, 4.47 ERA) makes his 25th start. He has a 1.31 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 in 100 2/3 IP.
- Allowed just 1 ER and 1 H with 6 BB and 2 K across 4 IP in a no-decision at Cleveland June 30
- Hasn’t won in 10 consecutive starts dating back to June 25 against the Colorado Rockies
Guardians at Twins odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Guardians -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Twins +102 (bet $100 to win $102)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Guardians -1.5 (+135) | Twins +1.5 (-170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)
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Guardians at Twins picks and predictions
Prediction
Guardians 6, Twins 5
Money line
The GUARDIANS (-125) are looking to stay hot. Cleveland has won 12 of its last 17 road games, including Friday’s series opener. The Guardians are also an impressive 5-2 in their last 7 games against AL Central Division opponents.
The Twins have been ice cold. Minnesota has won just twice in the past 12 games against teams with a winning overall record while going 1-7 in their last 8 against a right-handed starting pitcher.
Run line/Against the spread
The TWINS +1.5 (-170) stormed back and picked up the run line cover Friday, although they didn’t win outright. It was a miracle cover for those who took the chance. This one has an equally good chance of being a 1-run game, as McKenzie has had his difficulties against the Twins this season. He is anything but a sure thing.
Over/Under
OVER 7.5 (-105) is the best bet in this middle game. You’ll be going against the trends, as the Under is 11-4-1 in the last 16 road games for the Guardians and 7-3 in the last 10 games for the Twins against AL Central Division teams.
However, both of these pitchers have been very giving, especially McKenzie against the Twins. He has been a flamethrower this season, but the Twins have solved him, and taken him out of the yard plenty. Archer is about as inconsistent as they come, so look for plenty of fireworks here.
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