Hot-hitting Owen Miller will be looking to extend his 10-game hitting streak as the Cleveland Guardians (79-67) host the Minnesota Twins (73-73) at Progressive Field on Monday. The Twins won 3-0 on Sunday for their first win of the series, their sixth head-to-head victory in 18 games this season. Starter Joe Ryan threw 7.2 scoreless innings for the win, and Jhoan Duran picked up his eighth save with a scoreless ninth. Jake Cave was 1 for 4 with a solo home run in the win. Mark Contreras added one run on one hit. Myles Straw went 2 for 3 with a double for the Guardians.
ON THE MOUND
Sonny Gray (8-4, 2.91 ERA) is slated for the start for Minnesota. The right-hander threw seven scoreless innings in his last start, a 4-0 home win over the Royals on Wednesday. He was credited with the win, scattering three hits while striking out eight and walking one. Over three previous starts against the Guardians this season, Gray has allowed only five earned runs over 15.1 innings (1-0, 2.93). He has struck out 15 and walked five. For Cleveland, righty Cal Quantrill (12-5, 3.51 ERA) takes the mound. He has made two appearances against the Twins this season, both as the starter, giving up five runs (4 ER) over 13 innings (1-0, 2.77) with 10 strikeouts and one walk. In his last start on Wednesday, Quantrill took a no-decision at home against the Angels. He threw seven innings and gave up three runs on eight hits, striking out six, in the 5-3 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Minnesota has averaged only 3.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.3, while performing worse across the board (.207/.249/.330). Against right-handed pitchers like Quantrill this season, the Twins have a .726 OPS. Jorge Polanco has the team’s best on-base percentage against right-handers at .373 over 393 at-bats. Cleveland is averaging only 3.6 runs per game in the last five, down 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 30-41 away from Target Field in 2022, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Cleveland has gone 39-32 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. Cleveland is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the AL Central rivals 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.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Cleveland Guardians (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
