The Cleveland Guardians (14-17) host the Minnesota Twins (18-14) at Progressive Field on Friday to open a three-game series. The Twins are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won only one out of three in their last series against the White Sox, taking the finale 7-3 on Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Byron Buxton was 1 for 4 with a solo home run. The Guardians are playing the first of nine games at home after returning from a difficult six-game road trip (2-4). They lost two of three against the Yankees in their last series, dropping the finale 4-3 on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.
Myles Straw went 2 for 4 with a double and one run. Oscar Gonzalez added one RBI on one hit. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Guardians dominated the 2022 season series between the AL Central rivals (13-6), including four out of five in their most recent meeting at Progressive Field in September.
ON THE MOUND
Bailey Ober (1-0, 1.59 ERA) is slated to start for Minnesota. The RHP allowed one run over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 3-2 road defeat against the Royals on Saturday.
He scattered four hits while striking out six and walking two in the no-decision.Ober made one start against the Guardians in 2022, a 4-3 road loss on September 16.
He allowed one hit over five scoreless innings, striking out five and walking one.Right-hander Peyton Battenfield (0-2, 4.67 ERA) takes the mound for Cleveland.
In his last appearance on Sunday, Battenfield pitched in relief on the road against the Red Sox. He threw two innings and gave up three runs on three hits, striking out two and walking four in the 7-1 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Minnesota offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .232/.309/.407. Buxton leads the team in OPS at .895. The right fielder is slashing .262/.342/.553 with eight home runs, 19 RBIs, and 21 runs over 29 games. Against right-handed pitchers like Battenfield this season, the Twins have a .736 OPS.
Buxton also is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .966 OPS in 84 at-bats. Cleveland is slashing .227/.307/.338 for the season and averaging 3.7 runs per game. Jose Ramirez leads the team with an .828 OPS.
The shortstop has three home runs, 17 RBIs, and 17 runs scored with a slash line of .286/.374/.454. The Guardians have a .651 OPS against right-handers in 2023, fifth lowest in MLB. With a .992 OPS over 79 at-bats, Ramirez also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Minnesota is 8-8 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 3.5 runs. Cleveland has gone 4-8 at their home park this season, averaging 2.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.7. In the last 10 games between the teams at Progressive Field, Cleveland is 7-3 despite an average scoreline favoring Minnesota (4.5-4.3).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Twins lead the AL Central by three games over the Guardians.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Cleveland Guardians (+105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
