Free MLB Picks Today: Cleveland Guardians vs Minnesota Twins 9/17/22 (Game 1)

The Minnesota Twins (72-71) are on the road to face the Cleveland Guardians (77-66) at Progressive Field on Saturday in a doubleheader. The Guardians took Friday’s series opener 4-3, their sixth straight head-to-head victory and 10th in 15 games this season. Reliever Trevor Stephan threw one scoreless inning to get the win, and Emmanuel Clase picked up his 36th save with a scoreless ninth. Owen Miller went 1 for 2 with one run in the win. Jake Cave was 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs for the Twins. Jose Miranda added two doubles and one RBI.

ON THE MOUND

Louie Varland (0-0, 3.38 ERA) is in line for the start for Minnesota in the first game of the doubleheader. The LHP allowed two runs over 5.1 innings in his last start, a 5-4 road defeat against the Yankees on September 7. He scattered three hits while striking out seven and walking one in the no-decision. For Cleveland, right-hander Shane Bieber (10-8, 2.96 ERA) gets the start. He has made three appearances against the Twins this season, all starts, giving up five runs over 18.1 innings (1-0, 2.45) with 19 strikeouts and six walks. In his last start on Sunday, Bieber got the win on the road against the Twins. He threw 6.1 innings and gave up one run on five hits, striking out seven and walking one in the 4-1 triumph.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Minnesota has averaged 3.4 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.3. Against right-handed pitchers like Bieber this season, the Twins have a .729 OPS. Luis Arraez is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .843 OPS in 388 at-bats. Cleveland is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.2 for the season. The Guardians have a .641 OPS against left-handers in 2022, third lowest in MLB. With a .845 OPS over 98 at-bats, Andres Gimenez has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Minnesota is 29-39 in away games in 2022, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. Cleveland has gone 37-31 at their home park this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. The AL Central rivals have split their last 10 meetings at Progressive Field, though Minnesota has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.3-2.6.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Guardians lead the AL Central by four games over the White Sox. The Twins are third in the AL Central, five games behind the Guardians. They are sixth in the Wild Card race, seven games out of third.