Free MLB Picks Today: Cleveland Guardians vs Minnesota Twins 9/18/22

Hot-hitting Owen Miller will be looking to extend his 10-game hitting streak as the Cleveland Guardians (79-66) host the Minnesota Twins (72-73) at Progressive Field on Sunday. The Guardians lead the series 3-0 after sweeping Saturday’s doubleheader. After taking the opening game 5-1, Cleveland followed up with a 7-6 (F/15) win in game two, their eighth straight head-to-head victory and 12th in 17 games this season. Kirk McCarty got the win with three innings of relief. Amed Rosario went 4 for 8 with a home run and four RBIs in the win. Nick Gordon was 1 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs for the Twins.

ON THE MOUND

Joe Ryan (11-8, 3.83 ERA) is slated to get the start for Minnesota. The righty threw seven no-hit innings in his last start, a 6-3 home win over the Royals on Tuesday. He got the win, striking out nine and walking two. Over two previous starts against the Guardians this season, Ryan has allowed only four earned runs over 12 innings (1-0, 3.00). He has struck out 12 and walked one. For Cleveland, right-hander Cody Morris (0-1, 2.79 ERA) will take the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Twins. In his last start on Tuesday, Morris took a no-decision at home against the Angels. He threw 3.2 innings and gave up one run on two hits, striking out four and walking five in the 3-1 victory.

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 righties like Morris this season, the Twins have a .726 OPS. Luis Arraez is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .832 OPS in 393 at-bats. Cleveland is averaging 4.6 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.2 for the season. The Guardians have a .714 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .383 OBP over 400 at-bats, Steven Kwan has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Minnesota is 29-41 in away games in 2022, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. Cleveland has gone 39-31 at Progressive Field this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. Cleveland is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings at Progressive Field despite an average scoreline favoring Minnesota (4.2-3.6).

STANDINGS UPDATE

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