Cleveland (68-46) at Minnesota (70-44)
When: Thursday, August 8th, 2019
Where: Target Field,
Minneapolis, MN
Time: 8:10 ET | TV: FS North, STO
Opening Odds: Cleveland -116/9.5
The Cleveland Indians have been slowly cutting into the Minnesota Twins’ lead in the American League Central since the beginning of June and will have a chance to catch them this weekend. Thursday will mark the opener of a key four-game series between the teams after the Indians gained another 1.5 games on Minnesota Wednesday after sweeping double-header from the Texas Rangers. Cleveland allowed just one run in yesterday’s twin-bill and are 39-16 since June 4th and only two games behind the Twins in the division. Jason Kipnis is 11-for-27 with three homers, four doubles and 10 RBI during his current seven-game hitting streak for Cleveland, who are three games clear of Tampa Bay for the top AL Wild Card spot. The Twins are scoring and hitting home runs at a record pace but the pitching let them down the last two days against Atlanta. Minnesota took the first four games of their homestand before Atlanta tagged them for 23 runs Tuesday and Wednesday. Eddie Rosario is on an eight-game hitting streak in which he is 13-for-34, while teammate Miguel Sano is 4-for-8 with two home runs and six RBI in the past three games. Minnesota has recorded an extra-base hit in 68 consecutive games heading into Thursday.
Pitchers: Indians – Mike Clevinger (6-2, 3.07 ERA) | Twins – Kyle Gibson (11-4, 4.02)
Mike Clevinger was held out of the double-header Wednesday so he could pitch the opener against Minnesota. He’s one of the reasons for the big Cleveland turnaround, pitching lights-out since the All-Star Break. In his last five starts, Clevinger has posted a 4-0 mark and 2.01 ERA after holding the L.A. Angels to one run over 6.1 innings Friday. He came away with a no-decision in his lone start against the Twins last month, allowing one run over five innings.
10 CENT MLB LINES & 1% CASH BACK
The Twins desperately need some innings out of Kyle Gibson after the bullpen was heavily used the last two days against Atlanta. Gibson has posted back-to-back quality starts while his offense has produced 22 runs in those two outings to take some pressure off him. The Twins have won four of his last five starts including a July 12th victory over Clevinger and the Indians despite lasting only 3.2 innings and allowing three runs and four hits.
It’s hard to slow down this Minnesota offense, but the Indians staff has been on fire lately and just might cool them off. The Indians have had success against Gibson in the past and I think the division gets even tighter after Thursday.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for Thursday. He is 104-74 +1828 units on the season after a 5-1 run!
Pick: Indians -105
10 CENT MLB LINES & 1% CASH BACK
BETTING TRENDS:
Indians are 8-1 in their last 9 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Indians are 11-2 in their last 13 road games.
Indians are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Indians are 19-7 in their last 26 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Indians are 21-8 in their last 29 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Indians are 13-5 in their last 18 during game 1 of a series.
Indians are 20-8 in their last 28 games following a win.
Indians are 25-10 in their last 35 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Indians are 37-15 in their last 52 overall.
Indians are 37-15 in their last 52 games on grass.
Indians are 54-25 in their last 79 Thursday games.
Indians are 111-53 in their last 164 vs. American League Central.
Indians are 4-0 in Clevinger’s last 4 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Indians are 7-0 in Clevinger’s last 7 starts with 5 days of rest.
Indians are 4-0 in Clevinger’s last 4 starts.
Indians are 4-1 in Clevinger’s last 5 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Indians are 4-1 in Clevinger’s last 5 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Indians are 4-1 in Clevinger’s last 5 starts on grass.
Indians are 4-1 in Clevinger’s last 5 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Indians are 20-6 in Clevinger’s last 26 starts vs. American League Central.
Indians are 4-11 in Clevinger’s last 15 starts during game 1 of a series.
Indians are 3-10 in Clevinger’s last 13 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Indians are 1-4 in Clevinger’s last 5 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Twins are 6-0 in their last 6 during game 1 of a series.
Twins are 4-0 in their last 4 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Twins are 6-2 in their last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Twins are 37-14 in their last 51 vs. American League Central.
Twins are 7-3 in their last 10 overall.
Twins are 7-3 in their last 10 games on grass.
Twins are 36-16 in their last 52 games following a loss.
Twins are 29-13 in their last 42 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Twins are 35-16 in their last 51 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Twins are 35-16 in their last 51 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Twins are 1-4 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Twins are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Twins are 1-4 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Twins are 4-0 in Gibson’s last 4 starts during game 1 of a series.
Twins are 4-0 in Gibson’s last 4 starts vs. American League Central.
Twins are 5-0 in Gibson’s last 5 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Twins are 8-1 in Gibson’s last 9 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Twins are 14-3 in Gibson’s last 17 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Twins are 4-1 in Gibson’s last 5 starts.
Twins are 4-1 in Gibson’s last 5 starts on grass.
Twins are 5-2 in Gibson’s last 7 Thursday starts.
Twins are 7-3 in Gibson’s last 10 home starts.
Twins are 2-5 in Gibson’s last 7 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 5-0 in Indians last 5 overall.
Under is 5-0 in Indians last 5 on grass.
Under is 5-0 in Indians last 5 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-0 in Indians last 5 games following a win.
Under is 4-0 in Indians last 4 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-0 in Indians last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 8-2 in Indians last 10 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 8-2-1 in Indians last 11 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 5-2-1 in Indians last 8 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 11-5 in Indians last 16 Thursday games.
Under is 35-17-2 in Indians last 54 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 4-0 in Clevinger’s last 4 starts overall.
Over is 4-1 in Clevinger’s last 5 starts with 5 days of rest.
Over is 4-1 in Clevinger’s last 5 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Clevinger’s last 5 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 7-2-1 in Clevinger’s last 10 starts during game 1 of a series.
Over is 6-2 in Clevinger’s last 8 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Over is 6-2 in Clevinger’s last 8 starts vs. American League Central.
Under is 5-2 in Clevinger’s last 7 Thursday starts.
Over is 10-4 in Clevinger’s last 14 starts on grass.
Under is 7-3 in Clevinger’s last 10 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 6-0 in Twins last 6 games following a loss.
Over is 6-1 in Twins last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 6-1 in Twins last 7 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 6-1 in Twins last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 6-1 in Twins last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 4-1 in Twins last 5 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 8-2 in Twins last 10 home games.
Over is 4-1 in Twins last 5 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 6-2 in Twins last 8 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Over is 6-2 in Twins last 8 overall.
Over is 6-2 in Twins last 8 on grass.
Over is 18-7-1 in Twins last 26 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 14-6 in Twins last 20 Thursday games.
Under is 6-1 in Gibson’s last 7 Thursday starts.
Over is 6-1 in Gibson’s last 7 starts with 4 days of rest.
Under is 4-1 in Gibson’s last 5 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 10-3-1 in Gibson’s last 14 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Over is 8-3-1 in Gibson’s last 12 starts vs. American League Central.
Under is 5-2 in Gibson’s last 7 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Clevinger’s last 7 starts vs. Twins.
Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Minnesota.
Under is 35-17-1 in the last 53 meetings.
Twins are 1-8 in Gibson’s last 9 home starts vs. Indians.
