PREMIUM
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(MLB) Cleveland vs. Minnesota,
Money Line: -165.00 Cleveland (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: -165.00 Cleveland (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Cleveland Indians won the final three of their four-game series at Tampa Bay this past weekend and were to continue their 10-game road trip with six games this week (at Minnesota and Kansas City), beginning tonight. However, Cleveland had to make a 'pit stop' Monday at Fenway to make up a rain out with the Red Sox, who were on a 9-1 run. Edwin Encarnacion hit pair of two-run HRs in Monday's 7-3 win over Boston, extending Cleveland's winning streak to four games. Monday's make-up date means the Indians haven't had a day off since July 20 and won't have another one until August 31. However, the busy schedule has worked well for the Indians, who are 16-7 since the team's last off day and in the process, have opened a five-game lead in the AL Central. The 59-57 Twins, along with the Royals, are both five games back of the Indians and Minnesota will open this series having won seven of eight.
The pitching matchup: Danny Salazar (4-5 & 4.15 ERA) gets the start for Cleveland and Bartolo Colón (4-9 & 6.77 ERA) for Minnesota. Salazar has permitted four runs in four starts since returning from a seven-week stint on the disabled list (1.42 ERA) but has been able to win just once (Indians are just 2-2). Salazar also has 36 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings in that span. He gave up one run in six innings to win at Minnesota on April 17, making him 4-3 with a 4.45 ERA in 11 career starts vs. Minnesota (team is 7-4). The Twins picked up Colon after he was waived by Atlanta, where he was 2-8 with an 8.14 ERA. The Twins lost Colon's first three starts (5.87 ERA) but then Colon won 8-4 over Texas on Aug. 4 with a complete game. He followed with seven scoreless innings of a 4-0 win at Milwaukee. He takes the mound 2-1 in five starts with Minnesota (team is 2-3) but his ERA of 4.02 has cut in half his ERA with the Braves. The veteran has 12 career starts against the Indians, going 7-4 with a 3.81 ERA (teams are 8-4).
The pick: Minnesota swept a three game series at Cleveland in late June but is 0-7 at home against the Indians this season while getting outscored 48-15. That's in line with how these two teams have performed all season, as the Indians own a better road record than home record and the Twins own a better road record than home mark. What changes here? Make Cleveland a 10* play.
The pitching matchup: Danny Salazar (4-5 & 4.15 ERA) gets the start for Cleveland and Bartolo Colón (4-9 & 6.77 ERA) for Minnesota. Salazar has permitted four runs in four starts since returning from a seven-week stint on the disabled list (1.42 ERA) but has been able to win just once (Indians are just 2-2). Salazar also has 36 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings in that span. He gave up one run in six innings to win at Minnesota on April 17, making him 4-3 with a 4.45 ERA in 11 career starts vs. Minnesota (team is 7-4). The Twins picked up Colon after he was waived by Atlanta, where he was 2-8 with an 8.14 ERA. The Twins lost Colon's first three starts (5.87 ERA) but then Colon won 8-4 over Texas on Aug. 4 with a complete game. He followed with seven scoreless innings of a 4-0 win at Milwaukee. He takes the mound 2-1 in five starts with Minnesota (team is 2-3) but his ERA of 4.02 has cut in half his ERA with the Braves. The veteran has 12 career starts against the Indians, going 7-4 with a 3.81 ERA (teams are 8-4).
The pick: Minnesota swept a three game series at Cleveland in late June but is 0-7 at home against the Indians this season while getting outscored 48-15. That's in line with how these two teams have performed all season, as the Indians own a better road record than home record and the Twins own a better road record than home mark. What changes here? Make Cleveland a 10* play.
