Indians at Twins Preview & MLB Odds – August 1st.

Indians at Twins Preview & MLB Odds – August 1st

Written by on August 1, 2018

Cleveland’s Carlos Carrasco is one of the best pitchers in the American League but for whatever reason has struggled vs. the Twins this season with a 7.50 ERA in three starts. Carrasco, though, is favored on the MLB odds in Minneapolis on Wednesday afternoon for Indias at Twins Game 2 of an express series.

How to Bet Indians at Twins MLB Odds & Game Info

  • When: Wednesday, 1:10 PM ET
  • Where: Target Field, Minneapolis
  • Probable pitchers (away/home): Carlos Carrasco/Adalberto Mejia
  • Stream: Facebook Watch
  • Radio: TuneIn
  • Opening MLB Lines: Cleveland Indians -185 / Minnesota Twins +174 (Total 9)

Why Bet on Cleveland?

If the Indians have one glaring hole in their every-day lineup, it’s in center field. The Tribe hopes they plugged that hole by trading for outfielder Leonys Martin and RHP Kyle Dowdy from the Tigers for shortstop Willi Castro on Tuesday. In addition to being a solid defender, Martin has had one of his better offensive seasons with a .251/.321/.409 line along with nine homers and seven RBI over 78 games. He’ll likely hit at the bottom of the Cleveland batting order. Martin’s nine outfield assists in 2018 are tied for first in the American League, and his 228 outfield putouts are second-most this season despite missing 14 games due to injury. Since the start of 2013, Martin’s 59 outfield assists are tied with Colorado’s Gerardo Parra for the 2nd-most in the majors. He has finished in the top 10 in the American League in defensive WAR three times in his eight-year career. Thus, Martin should be an upgrade over the tandem of Rajai Davis and Greg Allen, who has recently been splitting time in center field for the Indians. In addition, Bradley Zimmer is out for the year, and Tyler Naquin just went on the DL with a hip injury for the Indians, who lead the AL Central. Also, right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall is out with a nagging calf injury. Dowdy probably won’t contribute this year to Cleveland. It’s Carlos Carrasco (12-5, 3.89) on the bump. Carrasco didn’t factor into the decision in Friday’s 8-3 win over the Tigers, allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks over 6.1 innings while striking out eight. The right-hander generated 19 swinging strikes among his 97 pitches (68 total strikes), and Carrasco has now produced quality starts in each of his first two outings coming out of the All-Star break with a 16:3 K: BB in 13 innings. Carrasco is 5-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 10 road outings this season.

Why Bet on Minnesota?

The Twins have quit on the season, sending starting pitcher Lance Lynn to the Yankees and former All-Star second baseman Brian Dozier to the Dodgers. The 31-year-old Dozier is hitting .224/.305/.402, with 16 home runs, over 462 plate appearances in 2018. In return for Dozier, the Twins got second baseman Logan Forsythe, pitcher Devin Smeltzer, and outfielder Luke Raley. The Twins acquired 1B/OF Tyler Austin and RHP Luis Rijo from the Yankees for RHP Lance Lynn. Austin, 26, has batted .230/.287/.459 with 15 home runs over 268 plate appearances for the Yankees over the last three seasons. He might start playing right away. To replace Lynn, the Twins called up right-hander Trevor May from Triple-A Rochester. May missed all of last season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and has posted a 3.60 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 19 walks over 30 innings during his rehab assignment. This includes 9 1/3 scoreless innings since returning from shoulder inflammation at the start of July. Indians at Twins is one of the best games scheduled for Wednesday Night. Lynn was due to start this game but it will now be young lefty Adalberto Mejia (1-0, 3.65). Mejia will join the rotation after throwing three scoreless innings in relief against the Red Sox on Sunday. He allowed just one hit and threw 39 pitches, so he’s expected to be on a bit of a pitch count. Joe Mauer is hitting .323 (230-for-712) with 51 doubles, 14 home runs, 78 RBI, 100 walks, 110 runs scored and .405 on-base percentage in 187 career games vs. the Indians. Among actives vs. Cleveland, he ranks first in doubles and walks and second in hits. Eddie Rosario is hitting .353 (76-for-215) with 10 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs, 34 RBI and 39 runs scored in 57 career games vs. Cleveland; the homers, hits, and RBI all being his personal most vs. any opponent. He is hitting .438 (28-for-64) in last 15 vs. Tribe. Dating back to September 10, 2016, his 76 hits vs. CLE since 2015 lead baseball.

Latest MLB Betting Trends

  • Indians are 20-6 in Carrasco’s last 26 starts vs. a team with a losing record
  • Indians are 12-4 in Carrasco’s last 16 starts with 4 days of rest
  • Twins are 5-11 in their last 16 vs. a team with a winning record
  • Cleveland is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
  • Cleveland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland’s last 6 games
  • Minnesota is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
  • Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 6 games

Expert MLB Betting Prediction for Indians at Twins

The Twins won’t be a good bet much the rest of the way now. Take Cleveland.