The Cleveland Indians (5-2) play AL Central rival Minnesota Twins (4-2) Friday, starting 8:10 p.m. ET at Target Field. We analyze the Indians-Twins betting odds and lines, with MLB picks and best bets.
Indians at Twins: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Mike Clevinger vs. RHP Randy Dobnak
Clevinger had a quality start (six or more innings pitched, and three or fewer runs allowed) in his 2020 debut against Kansas City Royals. He pitched seven innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out six batters in the no-decision.
Dobnak dropped his first start of 2020 against the Chicago White Sox but only allowed one earned run on three hits in four innings pitched. He’s 0-1 in his career versus Cleveland with a 3.86 ERA in seven innings pitched on two appearances.
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Indians at Twins: Key injuries
(List of injuries around the league)
Indians
- CF Delino DeShields Jr. (COVID) out
- C Roberto Pérez (shoulder) out
Twins
- SP Jake Odorizzi (back) out
Indians at Twins: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Indians 5, Twins 3
Moneyline (ML)
The Indians beat the Twins in their first meeting of the season, 2-0, on Thursday. Both clubs used their aces; Cleveland sent out SP Shane Bieber, and Minnesota pitched SP Jose Berrios.
Cleveland’s Friday hurler is one of the better No. 2 starters in the majors. Clevinger has pitched well against the Twins in his career. He has a 4-3 record with a 2.79 ERA and has struck out 73 batters in 61 1/3 innings pitched lifetime versus Minnesota.
Despite the 2019 Twins being the franchise’s first 100-win team since 1965, they still lost the season series to Cleveland, 10-9. Also, the Indians are 4-1 in the last five meetings in Minnesota.
BET CLEVELAND (-121). New to sports betting? A $121 bet on Cleveland (-121) will return a $100 profit.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The Indians (-1, EVEN) run line is awkward and could lead to our least favorite sports betting outcome (a chop), and the Indians (-1.5, +120) alternate run line doesn’t pay out enough. PASS ON THE RUN LINE.
Over/Under (O/U)
Recent Indians-Twins Over/Under trends have me leaning toward Under 9 (EVEN). Note that we like the Indians on the moneyline, so Cleveland cashing the fourth-lowest percentage of Overs in 2019 is important. They won 93 games last year, and they like to play close, low-scoring games. Also, the Under is 40-18-2 in the last 60 meetings.
I generally prefer to play sides over totals, so I’d put a LIGHTER WAGER on UNDER (-121). New to sports betting? A $50 wager on Over 9 (-121) will earn a $41 profit if 10 or more runs are scored in the Indians-Twins game.
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